Witnesses have reported seeing Eritrean soldiers driving through the town of Adigrat in northern Ethiopia, according to the Reuters news agency. This sighting occurred days after Eritrea and Ethiopia severed diplomatic ties. At least two witnesses indicated that they observed 'dozens' of Eritrean soldiers in two trucks on Wednesday, with the town located approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) south of the Eritrean border. The soldiers were identified as Eritrean due to their off-white camouflage uniforms.
Another resident of Adigrat, who was not present at the time, stated that family members had also reported seeing Eritrean troops. Reuters was unable to independently verify these accounts. Gebreigziabher Beyene, commander of the Tigray Peace Force, a pro-government militia, claimed, 'The Eritrean army has entered Tigray in uniform, equipped with heavy weaponry,' adding that Eritrea was 'deliberately deploying its forces so that the fighting takes place inside Tigray rather than spilling into Eritrea.'
Last week, the chief administrator of Ethiopia’s Afar region stated that Eritrean troops were engaged in combat in the area, although this claim could not be confirmed by Reuters. In a statement on X, Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Meskel did not deny the presence of troops but accused the Ethiopian government of fabricating a narrative of 'self-defense' to justify its military actions.
If confirmed, this would be the first sighting of Eritrean forces inside Ethiopia since renewed fighting began between Ethiopian forces and a coalition of seven armed groups, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), on September 23. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, along with Egypt and Sudan, of supporting the armed alliance seeking to overthrow the government, which all three countries have denied.
Eritrea announced the severance of ties with Ethiopia following Ethiopia's decision to close its embassy in Asmara and expel ten Eritrean diplomats. Eritrea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Ethiopia’s actions left it with 'no option but to reciprocate in kind and sever all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia.'
On Monday, Ethiopian forces captured Mekelle, the regional capital of Tigray, shortly after the TPLF confirmed its withdrawal from the city and relocation of its administration. This occurred on the same day that Eritrea, along with Somalia, Sudan, and Egypt, issued a joint declaration advocating for a political and peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ethiopia, indicating growing tensions between Addis Ababa and its neighbors.