Addis Abeba — Tigray authorities have accused Ethiopia's federal government of launching a new military offensive in Western Tigray, claiming that fighting began early Saturday 1 August, in the direction of Shererina in Western Tigray zone.
In a statement issued today, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF)-led regional administration alleged that the federal government had "launched an open war" in Western Tigray Zone, accusing it of escalating what the statement described as a prolonged confrontation with the region.
Africans & Diaspora "Escalating the comprehensive blockade and siege it has been conducting against the people of Tigray, as well as the attacks carried out by drones and proxy armed forces, the dictatorial and genocidal Prosperity regime has launched an open war," the statement said.
The Tigray authorities claimed that the reported developments followed months of political and military tensions between the federal government and the regional administration. The statement alleged that, since the signing of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in 2022, the federal government had engaged in "various conspiracies, blockades, sieges, and military preparations," without providing specific evidence.
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Geographic ReferenceDiscover morePrime Minister biographiesElection coverage EthiopiaConflict news alerts "Even after the signing of the Pretoria Agreement... it has continued engaging in various conspiracies, blockades, sieges, and military preparations," the statement said.
The statement called on Tigray residents, security forces, civil society organizations, and religious institutions to prepare for what it described as a renewed conflict, urging them to join what it called a struggle for "national survival."
Ethiopian political analysis "We will never yield to national destruction," the statement said, calling on Tigray forces and supporters to "prepare to make miraculous history today just as yesterday."
The Tigray authorities also urged the international community to intervene, warning of consequences from what they described as a conflict initiated by the federal government.
Politics "The international community should understand the consequences that may follow from the war ignited in this region... and take the necessary action," the statement said.
The Ethiopian federal government has not immediately responded to the allegations.
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The latest claims come amid a broader deterioration in relations between Addis Abeba and Tigray authorities. On 7 July, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed alleged that Sudan, the TPLF, and Eritrea are collaborating against Ethiopia, drawing parallels with the alliance that contributed to the overthrow of the Derg regime while suggesting that unnamed external actors are also involved.
Africans & Diaspora Tigray officials have responded declaring that the 2022 Pretoria Agreement has "collapsed," accusing the federal government of failing to implement key provisions of the accord and preparing for renewed hostilities.
The TPLF has alleged that federal forces are mobilizing troops and moving personnel from Western toward Eastern Tigray in preparation for a possible confrontation.
Law justice news These claims have not been independently verified by Addis Standard.
International actors have recently expressed concern over the renewed tensions. The European Union and the United States have urged both the Ethiopian federal government and Tigray authorities to avoid escalation and recommit to implementing the Pretoria agreement.
Ethiopian political analysis Addis Standard could not independently verify the reported military developments in Western Tigray or confirm whether active fighting has taken place.
This report is based on the statement issued by Tigray authorities and available public information.
