Reported Ethiopian Drone Strikes Hit Eritrean Forces Near Adigrat

Multiple drone strikes reportedly hit Eritrean troops and ammunition near Adigrat in northern Tigray overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, according to conflict monitor ACLED and witnesses who spoke to AFP.

The reported strikes came after Eritrean forces crossed into Ethiopia and took positions around Adigrat, according to multiple sources cited in the report. The number of troops involved, the extent of the damage and any casualties have not been disclosed.

Witnesses report damage and troop movement

One witness in Adigrat said there had been many drone strikes and that several Eritrean lorries had been destroyed and were no longer visible on the streets.

Another witness described hearing what they called a massive explosion during the night. The witness also said they saw an Eritrean military vehicle that had been hit by a drone.

A third witness said Eritrean troops appeared to be retreating north. The accounts could not be independently verified, and the identities of the witnesses were not disclosed.

ACLED said the strikes hit Eritrean troops and ammunition in the Adigrat area. Neither the Ethiopian nor Eritrean government responded to questions about the reported fighting.

Competing accusations

The reported confrontation follows a deterioration in relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting rebels in Tigray, while Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of backing its opponents and seeking a pretext to invade Eritrea and gain direct access to the Red Sea.

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Meskel has also accused Ethiopia of seeking regime change in Eritrea by providing shelter and support to people described by Asmara as mercenaries claiming to represent the opposition.

An unnamed senior Ethiopian federal army commander told AFP that small pockets of enemy forces were still resisting and trying to create trouble, while seeking to play down the conflict.

Relations under strain

Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a border war from 1998 to 2000. Eritrea became independent from Ethiopia in 1993, leaving Ethiopia without a coastline.

Relations improved after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in Ethiopia in 2018. Eritrea later fought alongside Ethiopian forces during Ethiopia’s 2020-2022 civil war against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

Tensions subsequently worsened over Eritrea’s dissatisfaction with the peace agreement that ended the war and Ethiopia’s claims to a right to sea access. Earlier this month, Ethiopia reportedly expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Asmara. Eritrea said it would sever all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia.

The latest reports of fighting have raised concerns about the possibility of a wider regional conflict, although neither government has publicly confirmed the reported strikes.