Ethiopian Army Repels Tigray Rebel Attacks Amid Escalating Conflict

Ethiopia's army announced on Thursday it had repelled attacks by Tigrayan forces and their allies in northern areas, marking its first statement since fighting intensified on Wednesday.

The army stated hostilities began in the Amhara region near the Tigray border, claiming heavy casualties inflicted on the rebels and the seizure of weapons. This escalation follows a sharp rise in tensions between the federal government and Tigrayan leaders, raising fears of a renewed civil war. On Wednesday, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) seized control of three airports from federal police, leading Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to the region.

A humanitarian source in Afar described the situation as a full-blown war as Tigrayan forces reportedly launched heavy artillery attacks attempting to take control of the town of Yallo. The TPLF has not commented on the army's claims, and independent verification of the fighting is difficult as reporting from Tigray is restricted. The current conflict follows a devastating war from 2020 to 2022, which ended with an African Union-brokered peace deal, though both sides have since accused each other of violations.

The TPLF announced an alliance with six other armed groups on Sunday, aiming to oust the federal government. The conflict's potential to spread regionally is a growing concern, with analysts noting its connection to existing instability in the Horn of Africa.