Tigray TV station hit by drone as rebels advance in north Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (AP) — Ethiopia's army chief has alleged that neighboring Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt are providing support to rebel forces who have taken control of several strategic towns during recent fighting in the north, sparking concerns of a regional conflict escalation (Source 5706980a-5d8). Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, the head of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, made the accusations on Friday, claiming that Eritrea has been mobilizing financial assistance for the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) (Source 5706980a-5d8).

The TPLF and Ethiopian federal troops were engaged in a war from November 2020 to November 2022, prior to an agreement reached in Pretoria, South Africa (Source 5706980a-5d8). The TPLF has since attempted to gain political control in Mekelle, the Tigray capital, with the TPLF fighters recently capturing the strategic town of Erebti in northern Afar region (Source 5706980a-5d8).

The TPLF faction allied with federal forces in Afar denied any heavy fighting, confirming the town's capture (Source 5706980a-5d8). Doctors Without Borders reported a surge in wounded receiving treatment, with patient numbers rising from around 180 to over 420 in 48 hours (Source 5706980a-5d8). Ethiopian authorities accused the TPLF of attempting to forge an alliance with Eritrea to destabilize Ethiopia, while Ethiopia's push for sovereign access to the Eritrean seaport of Assab has further strained relations with Eritrea, which borders Tigray (Source 5706980a-5d8).

Eritrea denied Ethiopia's accusations, stating that Ethiopia's pursuit of sea access had rattled Eritrea and Somalia, and its hosting of militia training for Sudan's military has put Ethiopia at odds with its neighbors (Source 5706980a-5d8). Sudan's armed forces spokesperson rejected Ethiopia's allegations, stating that Ethiopia is supporting militias fighting against Sudan's military (Source 5706980a-5d8).