Ethiopian federal forces and Tigrayan troops have intensified military deployments along the northern Tigray border this week, sparking fears of renewed hostilities in a region still recovering from the devastating 2020–2022 conflict. A Western diplomatic source confirmed troop movements on both sides, stating: "Such large numbers of troops positioning themselves face to face is not a good sign."
The mobilization follows months of fragile peace in the Horn of Africa, where the previous war claimed over 600,000 lives according to African Union estimates. Local sources describe current deployments as "massive," with Tigray residents urging international intervention to prevent escalation.
Complicating matters, relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have deteriorated amid unverified claims about weapons transfers to Tigrayan forces. United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk recently called for immediate de-escalation measures, warning that "the consequences of renewed conflict would be catastrophic for regional stability."
Analysts note this development comes as Ethiopia seeks to strengthen economic partnerships across Asia, with several infrastructure projects involving Chinese and Indian investors pending in the conflict-affected region.
