Ethiopia 'fears Tigray conflict could get out of control'
Airstrikes and artillery fire rocked northern Ethiopia's Tigray region overnight into Monday, aid sources said, in clashes between federal government and rebel forces that have raised fears of wider fighting. France 24's Philip Turle says that the Ethiopian government is pushing into Tigray territory amid fears the conflict "could get out of control".
Ethiopia is actively seeking to secure access to the Red Sea as the ongoing Tigray war escalates tensions with neighboring countries. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reiterated his country's need for a sea outlet, stating that Ethiopia will work to achieve this goal. The landlocked nation has long relied on Djibouti's port for sea access, but has sought alternative arrangements.
In January 2024, Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland that outlined potential sea access and a naval presence. However, Ethiopia's neighbors, including Eritrea, Egypt, Sudan, and Somalia, have rejected unilateral moves and emphasized their sovereignty over coastal waters. A joint declaration issued by Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia affirmed the principle of freedom of navigation and rejected any actions affecting existing water uses, particularly the Nile.
Somalia has expressed conditional willingness to grant Ethiopia sea access should formal agreements be reached. The situation has heightened concerns of a larger regional conflict, especially as fighting intensifies in Tigray.
Written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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