Ethiopia's Tigray rebels say federal government is preparing to wage war

Reports indicate that the Ethiopian National Defence Force is positioning troops and equipment along the border of the Tigray region. This development follows the conclusion of a two-year civil war in 2022, during which federal forces, supported by militias and the Eritrean army, engaged in conflict with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

It is estimated that the conflict resulted in at least 600,000 casualties. Although a ceasefire was maintained for over two years, intermittent clashes between federal and Tigrayan forces have occurred since November of the previous year.

The TPLF held a dominant position in Ethiopian politics for approximately three decades, until the current Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, assumed office in 2018. Federal authorities have raised concerns about the TPLF's alleged alignment with Eritrea, a nation with which Ethiopia shares a complex relationship.

Recent tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea revolve around Ethiopia's aspiration for access to the Red Sea, a pursuit that Asmara perceives as a potential threat of invasion. Analysts suggest that renewed conflict could have severe consequences for all parties involved, considering the historical impact of previous regional conflicts.

Based on reporting by Africanews.