Drones target Eritrean troops inside Ethiopia, conflict monitor says

Key Points:

• Drone strikes, believed to be conducted by Ethiopia's military, targeted Eritrean forces near the Tigrayan town of Adigrat as they withdrew from positions, marking the first confirmed presence of Eritrean troops in northern Ethiopia since recent fighting began.
• Eritrea denies accusations of supporting rebels in Ethiopia, calling reports of its incursion a pretext for Ethiopian aggression, while Ethiopia demands the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces and asserts its right to defend sovereignty.
• The conflict has escalated tensions between the Horn of Africa neighbors, with diplomatic ties severed last week amid Ethiopian claims that Eritrea supports rebel forces, raising fears of a broader regional war.
• Eritrean soldiers reportedly advanced into Tigray but withdrew under heavy Ethiopian drone bombardment, with estimates of Eritrean military presence including one mechanized division and three infantry divisions totaling around 6,000 soldiers.
• Historical grievances, including Ethiopia's landlocked status and desire for sea access from Eritrea, underpin the deteriorating relations, following a history of conflict and a brief period of normalized ties after 2018.