Ethiopia and Tigray Accuse Each Other of Offensives, Fuelling War Fears

Tigrayan leaders announced on September 23, 2026, that a new conflict has begun with the Ethiopian federal government. The Tigray National Regional Government stated its forces had entered a "defensive war" in response to what they described as an "open invasion and attack" by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration. This declaration follows a period of escalating tensions and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) recently asserting that the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement was no longer valid.

Reports indicate that fighting has erupted across Tigray and into the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions, with the TPLF launching an offensive against government positions. Tigrayan forces have also reportedly taken control of federally operated airports within Tigray, including those in Mekelle, Aksum, and Shire. In response to the renewed hostilities, Ethiopian Airlines suspended all flights to these three locations in the northern region.

This latest outbreak of violence shatters a four-year-old peace deal that aimed to resolve the devastating civil war between 2020 and 2022. The renewed conflict comes after months of rising animosity and the recent formation of an alliance between the TPLF and several other armed groups, which declared an intent to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.