The Ethiopian-Eritrea Conflict Is Escalating Weapons Across the Border

The Situation in the Ethiopia-Eretaria Conflict

Addis Ababa (ANN)- The most threatening voices are coming from the highest leaders of the Federal Government of Ethiopia, who are facing Eritrea, although it can be expected that the threatening voices coming from Ethiopia are not limited to Eritrea, which was part of Ethiopia before it gained independence in 1993, but also the threatening voices are directed at countries in the region.

Eritrea’s secession has made Ethiopia landlocked

Eritrea’s independence was the result of an armed struggle that lasted for more than thirty years, but the secession of Eritrea, which was favored by the TPLF in 1993, left Ethiopia a landlocked country.

Ethiopia lost access to the Red Sea when Eritrea, with the territory along the coast of the sea, gained independence in 1993. According to the National Statistics Service, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked state in the world, with a population of over 107 million people.

The sense of fear has been growing since the Ethiopian Prime Minister made it clear that it is essential for Ethiopia, which is home to the largest population in the Horn of Africa, to have access to the Red Sea, repeating many times that it is impossible for 100 million people to have no sea, so it is essential for them to have access to the Red Sea.

Nov 7, 2023 — In July, Mr Abiy publicly raised the question of Ethiopia’s access to the Red sea. However, on 1 January 2024, an agreement was signed between Somaliland and Ethiopia, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi signing an MoU, which allows Ethiopia to gain access to the Red Sea, in exchange for recognition from Somaliland, but there is still no end in sight to the MoU, which at the time created political sensitivity and tensions in the region.

The two countries’ historically strained ties were restored in 2018, when the Ethiopian leader reopened the border, brokering peace with Asmara.

After Asmara Agreement few years ago, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, were close political allies fighting together against the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front in northern Ethiopia.

The conflict started on 4 November, when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military offensive against regional forces in Tigray,

Isaias Afwerki, Eritrea’s leader for more than three decades, then moved his troops into Tigray region, supporting the Ethiopian Federal Government of Prime Minister Abiy, and captured much of Tigray region, which human rights organizations have accused of committing genocide and rape against Eritrean troops and allis Amhara rebels fighting the federal forces. But when the Peritoria Agreement between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and Tigray emerged, the conflict between Isaias Afwerki and Abiy Ahmed emerged.

Among some analysts, it has been suggested that this is due to a common animosity towards the TPLF held by both Eritrea, as well as non-Tigrayan Ethiopian officials that have resented the TPLF’s dominance in Ethiopian politics since 1993.

Today, however, Ethiopia’s renewed ambitions about gaining access to the Red Sea opened a new rift between the two neighbours. Ethiopia is also accusing Eritrea of colluding with a banned Tigrayan faction to stoke war once again. Both nations are increasing their military deployment near the shared border, sparking concerns about the return to conflict.

Tensions are rising, with both sides moving troops and military equipment along their shared border. Eritrea has repeatedly threatened to teach Abiy, who is busy in the Red Sea, a lesson if there is an attack from Ethiopia.

Meindhile, The Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Armed Forces, Birhanu Jula, said the country is preparing and has a clear plan to secure Ethiopia’s ownership of the port.

Field Marshal Birhanu made the remarks on the occasion of the 118th Ethiopian National Defense Force Day, which was celebrated this year at the Ethiopian Navy Training Center.

He pointed out that Ethiopia is dealing with pressure and deception by historical enemies who want to distract the country from within and prevent it from benefiting from its natural resources.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, numerous government and army officials attended the event at the Meskel Square in the capital, Addis Ababa. On October 26, Ethiopia celebrates the 116th anniversary of the establishment of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) in its modern form in 1907.

Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II established the country’s first Ministry of Defense, then called the Ministry of War. Because the East African country was never colonized by Europe, it has one of the oldest armed forces in the region.

Also, a large contingent of troops was displayed at the event, demonstrating Ethiopia’s preparedness. However, it is clear that a conflict situation that is close to getting out of hand is brewing between the two countries of Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Concerns in the region are growing, and questions are arising about how Eritrea, during the war in Tigray that entered Ethiopia’s interior, has formed internal militias, which poses a great threat to Ethiopia if war breaks out between the two countries.