Fresh military clashes have erupted between Ethiopian federal forces and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) fighters near the Sudanese border, triggering sharp political recriminations and threatening fragile peace efforts in northern Ethiopia. The fighting broke out overnight around Shererina in Western Tigray, with both sides trading blame over who initiated the hostilties. The sudden escalation marks one of the most serious disruptions to regional stability since the 2022 Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
The TPLF, which recently dissolved the federally recognized Tigray Interim Administration to assert full regional control, declared that a “clear war” had been launched against them in the Shererina sector. In a official statement, the group called on local residents, the diaspora, and religious institutions to mobilize and “prepare to make history.” The announcement followed public remarks by senior Tigrayan military figure Gebre Gebretsadique (Adet), who openly stated that overthrowing the federal government was the only remaining path to secure Tigray’s survival.
In response, senior federal official Dr. Abraham Belay strongly denied federal responsibility, accusing the TPLF leadership of launching fresh military provocations to prolong its political power. Dr. Belay warned that the group is using youth and teenagers as “firewood” in an aimless conflict and urged local youth to reject being used as instruments of destruction. He emphasized that genuine Tigrayan grievances cannot be solved through war, calling instead for immediate dialogue, peaceful engagement, and a return to diplomatic commitments before further irreversible damage occurs.
Adding to the controversy, the newly formed Simret Party—established by former TPLF officials—condemned the renewed fighting, describing it as an unwanted crisis driven by foreign interests and war profiteers. Simret Party leader and former head of the Tigray Interim Administration, Getachew Reda, urged observers to rely on independent satellite monitoring rather than unilateral political declarations to verify how the conflict started. Reda sharply criticized the current TPLF leadership for relying on external alliances and forced recruitment, calling on military commanders to prioritize the safety of the Tigrayan people over factional ambitions.
The outbreak highlights the ongoing volatility in northern Ethiopia, where unresolved territorial disputes, political fragmentation, and delayed disarmament processes continue to strain regional peace. As neutral verification of casualties and troop movements remains limited, civil society groups and international observers are urging an immediate cessation of military activities to prevent another widespread humanitarian catastrophe in the Horn of Africa.