Ethiopian drone strikes have reportedly targeted Eritrean troops near Adigrat, a city in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region, raising fears of a wider conflict between the two countries.
The reported Ethiopian drone strikes followed the movement of Eritrean forces into the area earlier this week.
Witnesses described explosions and damaged military vehicles, while a conflict monitoring organisation reported multiple overnight attacks.
Neither Ethiopia nor Eritrea has officially confirmed the reported strikes.
Ethiopian drone strikes reported near Adigrat
According to Africanews, citing AFP, Eritrean troops crossed into Ethiopia earlier this week and took positions around Adigrat.
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) reported that multiple drone strikes targeted Eritrean troops and ammunition overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.
Witnesses also described significant military activity in the area.
One resident told AFP that several Eritrean military vehicles had been destroyed following the strikes.
Another reported hearing a large explosion during the night and seeing damaged vehicles.
A third witness said Eritrean troops appeared to be withdrawing northward.
However, the full extent of the damage and any casualties remain unclear.
Ethiopia and Eritrea exchange accusations
The reported fighting comes amid growing tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting rebel groups in its northern Tigray region.
Meanwhile, Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of backing opposition groups seeking to challenge its government.
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Meskel recently accused Addis Ababa of supporting groups seeking political change in Eritrea.
Asmara has also accused Ethiopia of using regional tensions to justify possible military action aimed at securing direct access to the Red Sea.
Ethiopia has not confirmed any such military plans.
Last week, the two countries severed diplomatic relations following months of deteriorating ties.
Earlier this month, Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Asmara.
Eritrea subsequently announced that it would cut diplomatic ties with Ethiopia.
Ethiopian military official downplays fighting
Despite reports of Ethiopian drone strikes, neither government has provided an official account of the latest military developments.
However, a senior Ethiopian federal army commander spoke to AFP anonymously about the situation.
The commander described the remaining opposition forces as small groups still resisting.
The comments appeared to downplay the scale of the fighting.
Nevertheless, reports of cross-border troop movements and drone attacks have increased concerns about further escalation.
Independent confirmation of the battlefield situation remains limited.
Why are Ethiopia and Eritrea relations deteriorating?
Ethiopia and Eritrea have a long history of conflict.
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, leaving Ethiopia without direct access to the sea.
The neighbouring countries later fought a border war between 1998 and 2000.
Relations improved significantly after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018.
Eritrean forces subsequently fought alongside Ethiopian government troops during the Tigray war from 2020 to 2022.
However, relations deteriorated following the peace agreement that ended the conflict.
Eritrea expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the settlement.
Tensions increased further as Ethiopia renewed its calls for access to the sea.
The latest developments near Adigrat now threaten to deepen an already serious diplomatic crisis.
With both countries exchanging accusations, the reported strikes have raised fresh concerns about the possibility of a broader regional conflict.