Ethiopia and Eritrea accuse each other of starting a war as flights to Mekelle resume

Addis Ababa — Ethiopia and Eritrea have each accused the other of aggression as fighting in northern Ethiopia threatens to become a war between the two countries, Africanews reports, citing the Associated Press.

Ethiopia says Eritrea is backing Tigrayan forces. Eritrea says Addis Ababa is waging an unprovoked war against it.

Between 5,000 and 8,000 Eritrean soldiers are reported to be deployed in Tigray, and Ethiopian forces have carried out drone strikes against Eritrean troops.

Towns retaken

Ethiopia's military has retaken Mekelle, the regional capital, along with Shire and Adigrat from Tigrayan forces. Federal troops regained Mekelle last Sunday.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front launched a major offensive against the Ethiopian army on 23 September, the worst escalation since the civil war of 2020 to 2022.

Flights return

Ethiopian Airlines said it would resume flights to Mekelle on Sunday 11 October, with bookings open from Friday. The airline suspended the route on 23 September, citing the security situation. Flights to Shire and Axum remain suspended.

The resumption restores a main transport link between Tigray and Addis Ababa.

The Red Sea question

Behind the accusations is a longer dispute. Ethiopia, which is landlocked, has repeatedly demanded direct access to the Red Sea. Eritrea regards that as a threat to its sovereignty.

The two countries fought a border war from 1998 to 2000. They later cooperated militarily before relations broke down again.

This report is based on reporting by Africanews on the accusations and on the flights.