Ethiopia’s Abiy Warns Eritrea Against Supporting Rebels

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has warned Eritrea of “severe consequences” if it continues to support rebels fighting the federal government in the northern Tigray region. The warning follows weeks of clashes in which Tigrayan forces launched an offensive but were eventually pushed back by Ethiopian troops. The fighting heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, particularly amid reports that Eritrea had deployed thousands of troops inside Ethiopia in support of the rebels. Speaking in Tigrinya, Abiy said the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which once governed Tigray and previously dominated Ethiopia’s national government, is nearing its end. He accused Eritrea of undermining regional cooperation and urged both countries to pursue peaceful relations. The conflict highlights longstanding tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which gained independence in 1993.