Reuters reported, citing informed sources, that Ethiopian government forces are continuing to advance toward the border town of Zalambessa, which borders Eritrea and was previously under the control of Tigrayan rebels. The developments come amid intensive diplomatic efforts to prevent the two neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa from sliding into an open military confrontation.<\/p>\n
Sources who drew on accounts from residents and organizations monitoring the conflict said Eritrean forces entered Zalambessa last week to support the rebels. The town lies near the northernmost part of Ethiopia. However, available information has not established whether Eritrean troops or rebel fighters remain in the town.<\/p>\n
Eritrean authorities, meanwhile, denied that their forces had crossed into Ethiopian territory and called on the United Nations to take deterrent measures against Addis Ababa, describing Ethiopia\u2019s accusations that Eritrea had launched an invasion as a \u201cdeclaration of war.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clashes resumed in Ethiopia last month following an attack by a rebel alliance led by the Tigray People\u2019s Liberation Front (TPLF), reigniting a war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives between 2020 and 2022. Government forces managed to recapture several towns in a counteroffensive, pushing the rebels northward.<\/p>\n
Reuters quoted six sources as saying that the Ethiopian army had reached Zalambessa by Tuesday. The town has a population of around 15,000 and lies on the Ethiopian side of the border with Eritrea.<\/p>\n
Four of these sources based their accounts on communications with local residents. One was a diplomat, while another was a conflict expert in direct contact with parties to the conflict. A spokesperson for one of the pro-government militias did not confirm that the army had taken control of the town.<\/p>\n
Fears are mounting that the clashes could escalate further this time amid renewed hostility between Addis Ababa and Asmara, worsening conflicts in other areas, and continued tensions in the Red Sea.<\/p>\n
United News Network \u2013 UNN Arabic<\/strong><\/p>\n An independent media platform that provides reliable news and objective analysis, and seeks to promote peace and cultural dialogue around the world, convey the truth, and build bridges of understanding among peoples.<\/p>\n