Ethiopian forces enter Aksum as Eritrea tensions rise over Tigray offensive

Militia claims Eritrean losses, Asmara denies; US urges de-escalation as tanks move toward border

By LineZotpaper

Published16 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Ethiopian forces and allied fighters have expanded their control across the northern Tigray region and entered the historic city of Aksum, while a pro-government militia claims Eritrean forces have suffered heavy losses and retreated toward the border, allegations Eritrea has rejected as false.

The Tigray Peace Force (TPF), a militia supporting Ethiopia's federal government, said on Thursday that troops from neighbouring Eritrea had fallen back towards the border after sustaining significant casualties during the fighting. Solomon Hailemariam, the TPF spokesperson, made the claim, but Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel dismissed it as false in comments to local media.

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), an independent conflict-monitoring organisation, documented Ethiopian government forces and TPF fighters entering Aksum while rival Tigrayan fighters remained in surrounding mountainous areas. ACLED also reported Eritrean troops withdrawing across the border through Zalambessa, following advances by Ethiopian forces and their allies into several strategic towns.

Selam, a resident of Zalambessa whose first name was changed for security reasons, told the AFP news agency: “Ethiopian troops are on one side, and Eritrean troops are on the other.” There is no fighting now, she said, but the town has been without power or water for a week. “We are caught in the middle and living in deep anxiety,” she added.

ACLED also documented Ethiopian tanks and heavy weapons moving towards the Eritrean border on Tuesday, raising concerns about a possible confrontation between the neighbouring countries. Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea, as well as Sudan and Egypt, of backing a rebel alliance of seven groups fighting the government of Abiy Ahmed. Eritrea has denied the accusations and accused Ethiopia of threatening its sovereignty, while Khartoum and Cairo have also denied involvement. Eritrea, which fought alongside Ethiopia's federal army in the 2020-2022 war, severed diplomatic ties with Ethiopia earlier this month over the accusations.

Ethiopian forces captured Tigray's regional capital Mekelle earlier this month, with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) confirming it had withdrawn and moved its regional administration “temporarily” to another location. Government forces also retook the towns of Adwa and Adigrat from the TPLF without a fight, and there are reports of Ethiopian advances in Rama, close to the Eritrean border.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for de-escalation in a phone call with Prime Minister Abiy, saying the region could not tolerate more conflict, according to a US State Department statement.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The movement of Ethiopian tanks toward the Eritrean border raises the risk of direct military confrontation between two neighbouring states, expanding what has been an internal Tigray conflict.
Civilians are already feeling the impact: Zalambessa has been without power or water for a week, with residents describing themselves as caught between the two militaries.
Ethiopia's accusations against Sudan and Egypt, all denied, add a regional dimension that could draw more countries into the dispute.

Background

Ethiopia and Eritrea have a long history of border tensions, and Eritrea allied with Ethiopia's federal army during the 2020-2022 Tigray war. The current fighting marks a new phase: Ethiopian forces have recaptured Mekelle and other towns from TPLF-linked rebels, and the TPF militia has sided with the federal government. Tensions between Addis Ababa and Asmara have escalated sharply this month, culminating in Eritrea severing diplomatic ties after Ethiopia accused it of backing armed opposition groups.

Key Perspectives

Ethiopian government and TPF: They say their forces are expanding control across Tigray and entering key towns including Aksum, and they accuse Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the rebel alliance. The TPF claims Eritrean forces have suffered significant casualties and retreated. Eritrea: Rejects the TPF's casualty claims as false and denies entering Tigray to support armed opposition groups. It accuses Ethiopia of threatening its sovereignty and has cut diplomatic ties. Residents of border towns: People in Zalambessa report no active fighting but describe deep anxiety, with basic services like power and water cut off for a week. United States: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged de-escalation directly to Prime Minister Abiy, warning that the region cannot tolerate more conflict.

What to Watch

Whether Ethiopian armoured units actually cross into Eritrean territory after tanks were documented moving toward the border on Tuesday.
Independent verification of the rival claims about Eritrean casualties and withdrawals, including further reporting from ACLED or on the ground in Zalambessa.
How Sudan and Egypt respond to Ethiopia's accusations, which they have denied.
Any further diplomatic intervention from the US or other actors following Rubio's call with Abiy.

Sources

Ethiopian forces expand control in Tigray as militia claims Eritrean losses — Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera