Ethiopian forces expand control in Tigray as militia claims Eritrean losses

What the report says

Ethiopian forces and allied fighters say they have widened their control in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, including entering Aksum, as fighting continues between government-backed forces and Tigrayan rebels. Al Jazeera reported that the pro-government Tigray Peace Force claimed on Thursday that Eritrean troops had retreated toward the border and suffered heavy losses, although Eritrea rejected those assertions as false. The reported battlefield claims could not be independently verified.

The article said the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, a conflict-monitoring group, recorded Ethiopian government forces and TPF fighters entering Aksum, while rival Tigrayan fighters stayed in nearby mountainous areas. ACLED also said Eritrean troops were seen withdrawing through Zalambessa after Ethiopian advances into strategic towns. Residents in border areas described a tense situation, with one person in Zalambessa saying there was no active fighting but that basic services had been cut off.

The reporting comes amid rising friction between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea, along with Sudan and Egypt, of supporting armed groups fighting the federal government, while Eritrea denies sending troops into Tigray and says Ethiopia is threatening its sovereignty. Al Jazeera noted that Eritrea cut diplomatic ties with Ethiopia earlier this month. The US also urged de-escalation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as concern grew over a possible wider confrontation.