Omanghana
Eritrean soldiers have reportedly entered Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, with residents and regional security sources describing military convoys moving south through Adigrat on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The sightings come days after Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic relations, raising concerns that renewed fighting between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) could spread beyond Ethiopia’s borders.
Witnesses told Reuters they recognised the soldiers by their Eritrean military uniforms. The news agency said it could not independently verify their accounts. Separately, residents interviewed by AFP reported seeing troops travelling in trucks carrying heavy weapons.
Conflict-monitoring organization ACLED reported that Eritrean forces crossed through Zalambessa and moved towards the Adigrat–Idaga Hamus route. It also reported that Ethiopian military drones targeted the troops near Guada as they travelled towards Idaga Hamus.
Gebreigziabher Beyene, a commander of the government-allied Tigray Peace Force, also alleged that Eritrean troops carrying heavy weaponry were being struck by drones.
Eritrea’s Information Minister, Yemane Gebremeskel, accused Ethiopia of using a self-defense narrative to justify aggression. His statement did not explicitly deny that Eritrean soldiers had crossed the border.
The developments follow the withdrawal of TPLF forces from Mekelle, which Ethiopian government forces and allied militias subsequently took over. The latest fighting has threatened the peace established after the devastating 2020–2022 conflict.
ACLED assessed that Eritrea’s intervention was intended to prevent Ethiopian federal forces and their allies from reaching the border and potentially taking the fighting into Eritrean territory. That assessment remains an explanation of possible motives, rather than a stated Eritrean military objective.
Eritrea previously fought alongside Ethiopia against the TPLF during the earlier war. Relations later deteriorated, with Ethiopia’s pursuit of access to the Red Sea becoming a major source of tension.
Earlier this month, Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Asmara. Eritrea responded by severing diplomatic ties, further deepening the dispute between the neighbors.
Source: Omanghana
