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Eritrea-Ethiopia Tensions Raise Fears of Renewed Conflict

Eritrea and Ethiopia have both claimed to be preparing for war, with the landlocked Ethiopia claiming it needs access to the Red Sea, which Eritrea views as a provocation.

Violence along their shared Tigray border escalated, and Ethiopia accused Eritrea of sending ammunition to rebels in the Amhara region, an allegation Eritrea denied, calling it a pretext for conflict. Both sides accused the other of hostility, with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki saying Ethiopia had already declared war, despite Addis Ababa's assertion that it sought dialogue.

There has continued to be distrust between the two countries due to their long and fraught history, which includes the war between 1998 and 2000, as well as the renewed conflict between 2020 and 2022 in Tigray. In Tigray, Eritrean troops have increased, further worsening the instability, while Ethiopia is unable to access the Red Sea.

Eritrea: Widening Rift Between Eritrea and Ethiopia Sparks Fear of New Conflict

RFI, 22 February 2026

Ethiopia and Eritrea say they are preparing for the possibility of war, with landlocked Ethiopia's claim it needs access to the Red Sea seen as a provocation by Eritrea. As… Read more »
Ethiopia: Risk of Renewed Conflict Mounts As Troop Movements Reported Near Eritrea-Tigray Border--Bloomberg

Addis Standard, 20 February 2026

Addis Abeba--Ethiopia and Eritrea are deploying troops and military equipment near the northern Tigray region, raising the risk of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa, Bloomberg… Read more »
Ethiopia: Ethiopia and Eritrea Are On Edge Again - What's Behind the Growing Risk of War

The Conversation Africa, 20 February 2026

The histories of Eritrea and Ethiopia have long been closely intertwined. Once part of Ethiopia, Eritrea launched an armed struggle for independence in 1961 that resulted in its… Read more »

InFocus

Renewed Tensions in Horn of Africa as Eritrea Quits Regional Bloc

Eritrea has withdrawn from the East African regional bloc IGAD, accusing the organisation of "becoming a tool against" countries like it. Eritrea's foreign ministry said IGAD strayed from its founding principles and failed to contribute to regional stability.

The decision came amid escalating tensions and a war of words
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- East Africa: IGAD Urges Eritrea to Reconsider Withdrawal
- Eritrea: Eritrea Has Withdrawn Its Membership From IGAD
'No Intention' To Invade Eritrea Over Sea Access - Ethiopian PM

Ethiopian Prime Minister has stressed that even though his country has an "existential" need to access the sea, it intends to prioritize negotiation with Eritrea based on the principle of "give and take".There has been heightened tension between the East African nations over access to the Red Sea.

Earlier this week, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh said his country was
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- Ethiopia: Tensions in Tigray Could Spark War Between Ethiopia and Eritrea - Disaster Must Be Avoided
- Ethiopia: Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Warns Ethiopia-Eritrea War 'Seems Inevitable,' Urges Last-Minute Efforts to Avert War
Ethiopia Orders Eritrea To Withdraw Troops From Its Territory

Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea has escalated after Ethiopia demanded that Eritrean troops withdraw "immediately" from its territory, raising fears of a new conflict.

Ethiopia had accused Eritrea in recent months of supporting insurgents on its soil, claims Eritrea denied. In a letter, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said
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- Eritrea: Ethiopia Demands Eritrea 'Immediately Withdraw' Troops From Its Territory
- Ethiopia: Ethiopia Demands Eritrea Withdraw Troops From Ethiopian Territory