Ethiopia regains border city after reported Eritrean incursion

Ethiopian forces, backed by allied militia, reportedly entered the strategically located city of Adigrat on Saturday, three residents claimed. This came three days after Eritrean troops withdrew from the city, amid concerns of a potential resurgence of war along their northern border. Eritrea has denied these allegations, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the incursion.

Three Adigrat residents said they witnessed Ethiopian soldiers and an allied militia on patrol in the city on Saturday morning. However, Reuters was unable to confirm if the army had taken control of Adigrat, which sits 30 km (19 miles) from the Eritrean border. Ethiopia's military did not respond to requests for comment, and city officials were unreachable on Saturday.

Ethiopia's government, in a letter to US Security Council members, claimed Eritrean troops had advanced up to 60 km (37 miles) into the northern Tigray region in recent days. The nation warned that the presence of foreign forces left it with no choice but to defend itself. Eritrea dismissed these claims as false, alleging they were part of an Ethiopian propaganda campaign to justify a potential war.

Explosions were reported near Adigrat on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the US-based conflict monitor Armed Conflict Location & Event Data. Ethiopia reportedly used drone strikes against Eritrean forces, who subsequently withdrew from positions near the city. Another explosion was heard near Adigrat on Friday, according to a resident who told Reuters they heard repeated explosions overnight and into the morning, several kilometers outside the town.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Spokesperson and Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.