Latest news on the escalating conflict in Ethiopia

The fighting in northern Ethiopia is intensifying, with clashes between the Ethiopian government forces and Tigray forces occurring in parts of Tigray and the nearby regions of Amhara and Afar, raising renewed concerns that the conflict in the region may erupt widely once again.

Recent reports from the war indicate that the Ethiopian government forces and allied troops have claimed to have retaken the city of Alamata , located in southern Tigray.

Reports confirmed by various sources have stated that government forces have entered the city, with Alamata being a strategically important location for the movement and supply of troops.

On the other hand, Tigray forces are said to have conducted military movements in parts of the Afar and Amhara regions, with heavy fighting reported in various areas.

Information regarding who controls some of the battle sites and the casualties sustained by both sides remains limited, as communication in parts of Tigray is disrupted.

The disruption of internet and telephone services has also made it difficult to independently verify reports coming from the battle areas.

The parties involved in the conflict are accusing each other of being responsible for the communication disruptions, but these accusations have not been independently verified.

The fighting has also had a significant impact on civilians, with the organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reporting that hundreds of injured individuals have been taken to medical facilities, with reports from the hospitals in Korem and Alamata indicating a substantial increase in the number of people suffering from battle injuries.

Many families have also been displaced from the areas where the conflicts are occurring, as the

situation worsens after the Ethiopian government accused neighboring countries including Eritrea and Sudan , as well as Egypt, of providing support to the Tigray forces.

Sudan has explicitly denied these accusations, while other allegations have yet to receive sufficient independent verification. Therefore, claims regarding foreign interference remain a contentious issue between the parties.

This new fighting has raised significant concerns about the future of the peace agreement in Pretoria , which was concluded in 2022 to end the two-year-long Tigray war. The resurgence of hostilities now poses a threat to the stability of Tigray and the neighboring regions, potentially increasing displacement and humanitarian needs.

However, the actual situation in some areas is difficult to fully ascertain, with death and injury tolls, as well as new developments in the control of conflict zones, still unable to be independently verified.