Clashes end between Ethiopia and Tigray rebels

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia witnessed a cessation of hostilities between the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) and Tigray rebels, according to local and security sources reporting to AFP on Sunday. The intense violence, which erupted near the border with Sudan, was triggered by escalating tensions in the contested region of Tigray.

Reports indicate that the conflict, characterized by heavy artillery and drone attacks, erupted around 6:00 am (0300 GMT) on Saturday and concluded by 5:00 am the following morning. While no casualty figures were disclosed, one Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) member affirmed the existence of a "de-escalation," though they did not furnish further details.

The TPLF, although stripped of its political party status, remains a significant force within the region. Their initial accusations against federal authorities included accusations of "intensified destructive actions" and the escalation of violence to unprecedented levels. They also denounced what they claimed was a "large-scale infantry offensive."

However, the federal authorities have not yet responded to these allegations, leaving the veracity of the TPLF's claims unconfirmed. It should be noted that AFP has been unable to independently verify these statements or ascertain the exact number of forces present in Shererina, a town at the heart of the conflict.

The disputed area in western Tigray, currently under the control of nationalists from the neighboring Amhara regional state, has been a scene of intense fighting for several months. Both sides have been massing troops along the northern border of Ethiopian Tigray, with accusations flying that the other side seeks to reignite conflict.

This recent escalation comes less than four years after the conclusion of a particularly brutal war between the two sides, which left an estimated 600,000 people dead, according to an African Union estimate.