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Analysis · Tragedy · As of

Ethiopia Accuses Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea of Supporting Tigray Forces

The Ethiopian military accused Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea of supporting armed groups fighting federal forces in the north of the country. Tigray forces captured airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire, and seven armed groups announced the formation of an alliance to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

5 events in story9 sourcesVerified · 17/22 claims supported
Ethiopia Accuses Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea of Supporting Tigray Forces
Photo: Al Jazeera English

Sources

· 9

Key points

  • The Ethiopian army chief of staff accused Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed groups, and Eritrea of financing armed groups.
  • Tigray forces captured airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire, after which Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to the region.
  • Fighting spread from Tigray into the Afar and Amhara regions, and a TPLF spokesperson declared a state of open war with the government.
  • Seven armed groups, including the TPLF, the Oromo Liberation Army and Amhara Fano, announced the formation of an alliance to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

What happened

Seven Ethiopian armed groups, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Army and the Amhara Fano National Movement, announced the formation of an alliance to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Several days later, fighting between federal forces and Tigrayan fighters spread from Tigray into the Afar and Amhara regions. Tigray forces captured airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire, after which Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to the region. TPLF spokesperson Amanuel Assefa said the movement was once again in a state of open war with the government.

Ethiopian army chief of staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula accused Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed groups fighting federal forces in the north of the country. Earlier, the field marshal also accused Eritrea of financing and supporting armed groups in order to weaken Ethiopia. The Sudanese military rejected the accusations as baseless, saying the Rapid Support Forces were receiving support from Ethiopian territory; Eritrea also denied the accusations.

Why it matters

Internet and telephone services have been disrupted in Tigray: the state-owned operator Ethio Telecom has been completely shut down, while the private operator Safaricom continues to operate. This has raised fears of a repeat of the communications blackout from the civil war.

Context

The alliance announcement on September 20 was preceded by months of coordination meetings held in the presence of military representatives from Eritrea and Sudan. Oromo organizations and elites were divided in their support for the alliance.

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