Ethiopia’s army chief accuses Egypt and Sudan of backing armed alliance seeking to oust Abiy Ahmed

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1. 58m ago

   Ethiopia Army Chief Accuses Egypt and Sudan of Backing Alliance

   Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Ethiopia's army chief, has accused neighboring Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea of supporting an armed alliance aiming to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. This accusation coincides with a resurgence of fighting in the northern Tigray region, stoking fears that the country may slide back into civil war. In response, the Sudanese Armed Forces have rejected the allegations. Meanwhile, web monitors have detected internet disruptions in war-affected northern Ethiopia, and foreign nationals, including Israelis, remain trapped as combats intensify.

   Why it matters

   Tensions in northern Ethiopia have escalated following the formation of the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Coalition for Survival. The alleged involvement of regional powers like Egypt and Sudan carries major geopolitical implications given longstanding disputes over Nile water projects and regional stability. Ethiopia's military has publicly promised restraint despite the growing hostility.

   What is confirmed

   • Ethiopia's army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula accused Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea of backing an armed alliance and rebel troops seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
   • The Sudanese Armed Forces rejected accusations from Ethiopia that Sudan is supporting armed opposition groups and Tigray fighters.
   • Renewed fighting has broken out in northern Ethiopia involving Tigray's TPLF forces and the army, alongside the formation of the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Coalition for Survival.
   • Internet disruptions have been observed in war-hit northern Ethiopia according to web monitors.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Sudanese Armed Forces are receiving support from within Ethiopia for their rival paramilitary RSF.

   What to watch next

   • Further official statements or diplomatic responses from Egypt and Eritrea regarding the allegations
   • Developments concerning the internet blackout and communications in northern Ethiopia
   • Evacuation efforts or updates regarding foreign nationals trapped by the fighting
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. The Economist — Ethiopia may be descending into another civil war
   2. Reuters — Internet disruption seen in war-hit northern Ethiopia, web monitor says
   3. BBC — Ethiopia fighting: Are Tigray's TPLF forces and the army heading back to war?
   4. Al Jazeera — Ethiopia’s army promises restraint amid fears of new civil war
   5. Euronews.com — Ethiopia accuses Egypt and Sudan of backing alliance against Abiy
   6. horn review — Interview with Ambassador General Bacha Debele on Current Developments in Northern Ethiopia, and Eritrea
   7. The Jerusalem Post — Israelis trapped amid combats in nothern Ethiopia
   8. abcnews.com — Ethiopia’s army chief accuses Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting Tigray rebels
   9. somalireport.com — Ethiopia Army Chief Accuses Egypt, Sudan of Backing Armed ...
   10. thesudantimes.com — Ethiopia accuses Egypt and Sudan of backing armed opposition
   11. www.yahoo.com — Ethiopia accuses Sudan, Egypt of backing Tigray rebels as ...
   12. www.radiotamazuj.org — Sudan rejects Ethiopian accusation of backing armed groups
   confidence 90%