Ethiopia's peace crumbles after four years

The Tigray People's Liberation Front launched a major offensive this week to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, shattering a fragile 2022 ceasefire that had held for nearly four years.

Who started the fighting remains unclear

The TPLF claims government forces fired first on Wednesday, prompting retaliation. Addis Ababa says the rebels launched an unprovoked all-out offensive and seized three airports in Tigray.

Fighting escalates rapidly across the north

The Ethiopian National Defense Force reports killing 272 enemy troops and capturing 260 others. Internet and phone service have been cut off in the northern regions.

The last war killed 600,000 people

When Ethiopia's military last fought the TPLF, around 600,000 people died and the Tigray region faced famine. The international community fears a repeat catastrophe.

TPLF now commands a broader alliance

The TPLF announced a coalition with six other armed groups on Sunday, including major opposition parties that boycotted June's elections. This gives the rebels far more firepower than before.

Abiy's party dominated the June elections

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party won around 90 percent of available seats in parliament's lower house. Voting did not take place at all in Tigray.

Eritrea's role remains murky

Ethiopia accuses the TPLF of seeking an alliance with neighboring Eritrea to destabilize Abiy's government. Eritrea denies involvement, but relations between Abiy and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki have deteriorated sharply.

Eritrea fears Ethiopian invasion

Eritrea has long worried that landlocked Ethiopia will invade its territory to gain access to the Red Sea. As Abiy's relations with Eritrean leadership have soured, supporting the TPLF has become increasingly attractive to Asmara.

International community calls for talks

The African Union, East Africa's regional bloc, and the U.S. ambassador have all condemned the fighting and urged immediate de-escalation and political dialogue to prevent wider conflict.

TPLF vows to continue fighting

The Tigray regional government said Wednesday that its army will continue its fight to ensure the rights, security, sovereignty, and survival of its people, signaling no immediate end to hostilities.

“Our army will continue its fight to ensure that the rights, security, sovereignty, and survival of our people are protected.”

Risk of wider regional war looms

With Eritrea potentially involved and multiple armed groups now aligned against Abiy, the conflict threatens to expand beyond Ethiopia's borders and destabilize the entire Horn of Africa region.

Humanitarian catastrophe feared

Foreign leaders are desperate to avoid another catastrophe like the previous war, which killed 600,000 and pushed Tigray toward famine. The current fighting threatens similar devastation.