Fighting has intensified across northern Ethiopia as government forces and their allies claim control of the strategic town of Alamata.
The latest clashes involve forces aligned with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, or TPLF, and its allies.
According to Al Jazeera, fighting has spread across several fronts in Tigray, Amhara and Afar during the past week.
The renewed violence has also raised concerns about the future of the Pretoria Agreement. The peace deal ended the previous Tigray war in November 2022.
Government allies claim control of Alamata
The Tigray Peace Force said on Monday that its fighters and Ethiopia’s federal army had captured Alamata.
The group consists of Tigrayan fighters aligned with the federal government.
Alamata is about 120km south of Tigray’s capital, Mekelle.
Reuters verified footage showing soldiers carrying Ethiopian flags in the town. However, Reuters could not independently confirm the exact identity of the armed men in some footage.
Two diplomatic sources also told Reuters that Alamata had fallen. A source linked to opposition forces said they were retreating.
Alamata is strategically important because of its location near Tigray’s southern border with Amhara.
The town also serves as a supply hub for troops, fuel and food. Its capture could open a route for federal forces to advance towards Mekelle.
Fighting spreads across northern Ethiopia
The latest escalation began last week when Tigrayan forces launched a major offensive.
They seized three airports in Tigray and advanced into neighbouring Afar and Amhara, according to Al Jazeera.
The TPLF describes its campaign as a “defensive war”. It has accused federal forces of using drones and heavy artillery.
Federal forces and their allies have since launched counterattacks.
On Sunday, a drone struck the headquarters of Tigrai TV in Mekelle. The broadcaster is regarded as a major media outlet for the Tigrayan authorities.
A military source told Al Jazeera that government forces were advancing towards or surrounding Mekelle.
TPLF advances in Afar
Fighting has also intensified in the Afar region.
TPLF forces captured the strategically important town of Erebti over the weekend, an Ethiopian commander told the Associated Press.
The Tigray Peace Force also acknowledged that Erebti had fallen. However, it disputed reports that heavy fighting preceded the takeover.
The situation in Afar is particularly important because of the region’s transport links.
Most Ethiopian imports, including fuel, enter the country through neighbouring Djibouti.
Further fighting in the area could therefore threaten important supply routes.
Eritrea accused of involvement
The conflict has also produced allegations of involvement by neighbouring countries.
The governor of Afar told Al Jazeera that Eritrean forces were participating in the fighting.
He also alleged that Eritrean forces controlled more than two-thirds of the region and were moving towards a key road.
Eritrea had not responded to those allegations at the time of Al Jazeera’s report.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s army chief, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, has accused Eritrea of supporting opposition forces.
He has also alleged that Sudan and Egypt are providing support.
Sudan and Eritrea have denied the allegations.
Egypt also rejected suggestions of interference. Its Foreign Ministry said the country respects the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of other states.
Hundreds reported killed and wounded
Fighting has also spread into parts of Amhara, including North Wollo.
The Ethiopian military said about 270 Tigrayan fighters had been killed there. It also said more than 200 had been wounded.
These figures could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, hospitals are reporting a sharp increase in casualties.
Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, said the number of patients at hospitals in Korem and Alamata rose from about 180 to more than 420 within 48 hours.
MSF also said 300 wounded people arrived at Suhul Hospital last week.
Internet and telephone services have also been disrupted in Tigray.
Thousands displaced by Ethiopia fighting
The latest clashes have forced large numbers of people from their homes.
Valerie Browning, cofounder of the Afar Pastoralist Development Association, told the Associated Press that about 150,000 people had been displaced since the latest fighting began.
The humanitarian impact has raised fears of another major crisis in northern Ethiopia.
The previous war between federal forces and the TPLF began in November 2020.
It ended with the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022 after two years of fighting.
Former Nigerian President and African Union mediator Olusegun Obasanjo estimated that about 600,000 people died during that conflict. Other assessments have produced different figures.
New armed alliance challenges Abiy government
Days before the latest offensive, the TPLF joined six other armed groups to establish the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival.
The alliance says it wants to remove Abiy’s government and establish a transitional administration.
It includes the Oromo Liberation Army and the Amhara Fano National Movement.
Some of the groups in the alliance have previously fought against one another.
The latest escalation now threatens to deepen instability across northern Ethiopia while increasing concerns that neighbouring countries could become further involved.