Ethiopia Demands Immediate Withdrawal of Eritrean Troops Amid Rising Border Tensions
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Staff Reporter GAROWE ONLINE
- Posted On 08-02-2026, 07:01PM
ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian government has formally ordered neighboring Eritrea to “immediately withdraw its troops” from Ethiopian territory, marking a significant escalation in the deteriorating relationship between the two Horn of Africa nations.
In a formal letter dated February 7, 2026, addressed to Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos accused Asmara’s forces of "outright aggression." The letter details an incursion along Ethiopia’s northwestern border and alleges that Eritrean forces are actively collaborating with local "rebel groups" to destabilize the region.
Key Developments:
Allegations of Incursion: Ethiopia claims that Eritrean troops have occupied several areas along their shared border for a "considerable period" and have recently pushed deeper into Ethiopian territory.
Support for Insurgents: Addis Ababa has accused Asmara of providing material support and conducting joint military maneuvers with armed groups operating within Ethiopia.
The Port Dispute: Tensions have been fueled by Ethiopia’s recent push for sovereign access to the Red Sea. In his letter, Timothewos suggested that a withdrawal of troops could open the door for negotiations on maritime affairs, including access to the Port of Assab.
The Tigray Fallout: While the two nations were allies during the 2020–2022 Tigray War, relations soured after Eritrea was excluded from the Pretoria Peace Accord. Recently, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed publicly addressed atrocities committed by Eritrean forces during that conflict for the first time.
Regional Implications
International observers fear that this "war of words" could spark a new conventional conflict. While the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry stated it still believes the "cycle of violence and mistrust" can be broken through diplomacy, the rhetoric from both capitals has reached its most hostile level since the 2018 peace deal.
As of today, the Eritrean government has not issued an official response to the letter, though it has previously denied similar accusations, calling them "false flags" intended to justify a new war.
GAROWE ONLINE
