Ethiopia accuses Egypt and Sudan of backing alliance against Abiy

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1. 1h ago

   Ethiopia Accuses Neighbors of Backing Anti-Abiy Alliance

   Ethiopian officials accuse neighboring Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea of supporting an anti-government alliance of seven armed groups as renewed fighting flares in the northern Tigray region. The escalation threatens to shatter the November 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement that ended a prior two-year civil war. Khartoum has rejected the accusations, asserting instead that the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces receive support originating from within Ethiopia. Meanwhile, internet disruptions have been reported in war-hit northern Ethiopia, and approximately 20 Israelis remain stuck in the Tigray region amid the rebel advance.

   Why it matters

   Renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia threatens to draw in regional powers and unravel a peace accord that halted one of the world's most lethal modern conflicts. The previous civil war between federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front left 600,000 dead. The current instability risks fueling a wider regional crisis and a potential migration wave toward Europe.

   What is confirmed

   • Seven Ethiopian armed groups announced an anti-government alliance.
   • Ethiopia accused Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea of backing armed groups and rebel troops fighting federal forces.
   • The Sudan army denied backing Tigray fighters.
   • Renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia has left the November 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement in tatters.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Sudan army stated that the rival paramilitary RSF is receiving support from within Ethiopia.
   • An Afar governor accused Eritrean forces of directly joining the fighting in northern Ethiopia.
   • Some 20 Israelis are stuck in northern Ethiopia's Tigray region amid a rebel advance.

   What to watch next

   • Any official military or diplomatic responses from Egypt or Eritrea regarding the accusations.
   • Developments concerning the safety and evacuation of foreign nationals, including the Israelis stuck in Tigray.
   • Further web monitor reports detailing the extent of internet disruptions in northern Ethiopia.
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. reuters.com — Seven Ethiopian armed groups announce anti-government alliance
   2. The Economist — Ethiopia may be descending into another civil war
   3. Reuters — Internet disruption seen in war-hit northern Ethiopia, web monitor says
   4. ACLED — Ethiopia Conflict - Expert Insights
   5. BBC — Ethiopia fighting: Are Tigray's TPLF forces and the army heading back to war?
   6. Euronews.com — Ethiopia accuses Egypt and Sudan of backing alliance against Abiy
   7. horn review — Interview with Ambassador General Bacha Debele on Current Developments in Northern Ethiopia, and Eritrea
   8. The Times of Israel — Some 20 Israelis stuck in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region amid rebel advance
   9. The Economist — Renewed fighting in Ethiopia shows no sign of stopping
   10. thetimes.com — The civil war that could fuel Europe’s next migration crisis
   11. France 24 — Ethiopia accuses Eritrea, Sudan of backing Tigray rebels amid clashes
   12. semafor.com — Exclusive / Democrats press Trump administration to intervene in Ethiopia
   confidence 95%