ADDIS ABABA — Fears of renewed conflict are growing in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region as tensions between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) continue to escalate, raising concerns that the fragile peace established under the 2022 Pretoria Agreement could collapse.
Reports circulating on social media have claimed that clashes involving Ethiopian federal forces and TPLF fighters erupted in parts of Tigray, with allegations of military aircraft and heavy ground deployments. However, these claims have not been independently verified, and neither Ethiopian authorities nor TPLF officials have issued confirmed statements on the reported fighting.
The latest tensions follow months of increasing military mobilization, political disputes, and mutual accusations between Addis Ababa and the TPLF. International observers and human rights organizations have warned that the deteriorating security situation could reignite a conflict that previously claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people.
Recent reports have also highlighted increased military recruitment and troop movements in and around Tigray, fueling concerns among local residents and humanitarian agencies. The United States and other international partners have urged all parties to respect the Pretoria peace agreement and resolve disputes through dialogue to prevent another devastating war.
The conflict between Ethiopia’s federal government and the TPLF, which began in November 2020, officially ended with a peace agreement signed in Pretoria in November 2022. Despite the accord, political disagreements, security concerns, and competing claims over governance in Tigray have continued to strain relations between the two sides.
Analysts warn that any return to full-scale fighting would worsen the humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia and threaten stability across the Horn of Africa.
