Eritrean Troops Advance into Ethiopia's Tigray

Eritrean soldiers near Tigray border
Eritrean soldiers were involved in fighting in Tigray during the 2020‑2022 conflict, according to AFP via Getty Images.

Eritrean troops have reportedly crossed into northern Ethiopia, moving through the town of Adigrat and advancing toward the strategic corridor between Adigrat and Mekelle. Residents in the town report that convoys of up to 60 trucks carrying soldiers passed through the city before heading toward Edaga Hamus, a town between Adigrat and Mekelle.

The move comes two weeks after tensions between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) escalated into armed clashes that marked the first open conflict since a 2022 peace deal. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, allegations that Asmara has repeatedly denied.

A resident of Adigrat told the BBC that he saw “about 40 trucks carrying soldiers; the convoy was moving south.” Another source later estimated up to 60 trucks had passed through the town, many apparently carrying heavy weapons, including anti‑aircraft guns. Concrete evidence of the convoy is still pending verification, but satellite images and local testimony suggest that the troops are moving for a new offensive along the northern Tigray corridor.

For context, Ethiopian forces had recently taken control of Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after TPLF forces withdrew from the city. That victory ended a two‑year‐old stand‑off that had ended the civil war but left fragile peace. The current return of Eritrean troops raises fears that a new phase of the conflict could engulf the wider region, especially as the two countries severed diplomatic ties in late September amid renewed fighting.

Local inhabitants describe the scene with a palpable sense of anxiety. One resident of Edaga Hamus recounted that drone strikes had occurred nearby, affecting soldiers who were “targeted.” Another Adigrat resident said the sight of Eritrean soldiers again was “emotionally distressing” and that memories of past atrocities were still fresh.

An official from the Ethiopian government has publicly accused Eritrea of direct involvement in the conflict, labeling its military presence as a strategic partnership that would drive “double retaliation” against any crossing of borders. The statement highlighted the severity of the situation and urged for a swift resolution before the conflict escalated further.

While the BBC is unable to report from Tigray directly, mobile phone service and internet access have returned to most areas formerly under military control. Citizens have been able to send updates and photos, which have helped the BBC compile a picture of the current battlefield dynamics.