# Ethiopia Returns to War Threatens Horn of Africa > Ethiopia’s civil war resurges as TPLF seizes airports, risking regional conflict. - Title: Ethiopia Returns to War Threatens Horn of Africa | Shortify - Summary: Ethiopia’s civil war resurges as TPLF seizes airports, risking regional conflict. Ethiopia’s TPLF rebels have restarted civil war after four years… - Keywords: ethiopia, tigray, tplf, eritrea, horn of africa, civil war, united nations, sudan, chad, refugees, grand ethical renaissance dam, al-shabab - Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/30/ethiopia-return-civil-war-tigray-regional-impact-eritrea-horn-africa - Author: Nosmot Gbadamosi - Read time: 2 min - Topics: ethiopia, tigray, tplf, eritrea, horn of africa, civil war, united nations, sudan, chad, refugees, grand ethical renaissance dam, al-shabab ## Civil War Returns Ethiopia’s civil war resurges after four years as TPLF rebels seize airports in Tigray region. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## TPLF Seizes Airports TPLF launched attacks in Afar and Amhara regions after forming alliance with six armed groups to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## Conflict Escalates Pro-government forces captured Alamata, a strategic town 75 miles south of Mekelle, amid El Niño threatening crop production. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## Tensions Since 2022 Tensions between TPLF and federal government rose after Pretoria Agreement ended two-year Tigray war that killed 600,000 people. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## TPLF Reestablishes Council TPLF reestablished its prewar legislative council in May 2026 after electoral board banned it from national elections. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## Eritrea’s Role Eritrea, once TPLF ally, now allies with TPLF after decades of hostility following Ethiopia’s independence in 1993. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## U.S. Sanctions Lifted U.S. lifted sanctions on Eritrea’s ruling party and military earlier this month, ending arms embargo on Ethiopia. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## Regional Impact Analysts fear conflict could draw in Egypt and Sudan, which accuse Ethiopia of supporting rebel groups. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## Sudanese Refugee Surge 400 Sudanese refugees cross into Chad daily, a twentyfold increase from previous months, driven by drone attacks and drought. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Egypt disputes Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam over water supply concerns. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## Security Vacuum Ethiopia plans to withdraw 3,000 troops from Somalia to bolster domestic forces, creating security vacuum for al-Shabab. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## UN General Assembly African countries push for greater representation at UN General Assembly, with Niger and Ghana advocating for permanent Security Council seats. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## U.S. Sanctions Impact U.S. sanctions decision on Eritrea could lead TPLF to form closer ties with Eritrea, opening proxy war in Horn of Africa. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## What Happens Next Ethiopia’s civil war threatens to engulf Horn of Africa as regional tensions escalate with Eritrea, Sudan, and Chad. > We are in the situation of full-blown war now ## Key takeaway Ethiopia’s TPLF rebels have restarted civil war after four years, threatening wider Horn of Africa conflict.