Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of an “all-out invasion” and says it has no choice but to defend itself, alleging Eritrean forces advanced up to 60 km into the Tigray region, according to Reuters. Eritrea denies the reported incursion, accusing Ethiopia of seeking a pretext for war.
Ethiopia said an "all-out invasion" by Eritrean forces had left it with no option but to defend itself, in a letter to the UN shared with Reuters on Friday, as blasts continued near the border between the two countries.
In response, Eritrea's information minister said his country had shown restraint since Ethiopia had declared a war of aggression against Eritrea by stating in 2023 it would acquire sovereign access to the sea.
Ethiopia lost its access to all coastline when Eritrea secured independence in 1993. Addis Ababa argues that restoring sea access is an existential issue but has said it would be restored through peace and dialogue.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting a rebel alliance in Ethiopia. Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said in the letter that Eritrean forces had advanced up to 60 km (37 miles) into the country.
"The all-out invasion of parts of northern Ethiopia by Eritrea is a matter of public record,” the letter said. “It is a blatant act of aggression that engages Ethiopia’s inherent right to self-defence.”
Drone strikes, believed to have been carried out by Ethiopia’s military, targeted Eritrean forces on Wednesday and Thursday as they withdrew from positions near the northern Tigray town of Adigrat, about 30 km (19 miles) from the border with Eritrea, the US-based conflict monitor ACLED said.
Ethiopian government forces have continued to gain ground in Tigray in recent days and, in a sign of further consolidation, Ethiopian Airlines said it would resume flights to the regional capital Mekelle on October 11.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-says-it-must-defend-itself-against-eritreas-all-out-invasion-2026-10-09/