Fighting widens across Ethiopia as Tigray clashes escalate

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1. 48m ago

   Ethiopian Fighting Widens as Rebel Alliance Forms and Tigray Clashes Escalate

   Fighting has intensified across Ethiopia following the formation of an anti-government alliance comprising seven armed groups. In northern Ethiopia, the military reports repelling attacks by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and claims to have killed hundreds of rebels. This renewed violence has disrupted internet access in Tigray and forced Ethiopia's largest airline to suspend flights to three cities due to an airport seizure. Residents in the region's largest city report widespread fear as the conflict expands beyond the Tigray region.

   Why it matters

   The current violence effectively shatters a 2022 peace deal that had previously ended a major war. This escalation suggests the country may be returning to a state of full-scale civil war. The shift is marked by former enemies now fighting together against the central government.

   What is confirmed

   • Seven Ethiopian armed groups have announced an anti-government alliance.
   • Ethiopia's military claims it has repelled TPLF attacks and killed hundreds of rebels.
   • Internet services have been disrupted in the Tigray region.
   • Ethiopia's largest airline suspended flights to three cities following an airport seizure.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ethiopia may be descending into another civil war.

   What to watch next

   • Government response to the seven-group rebel alliance
   • Status of airport control in the historic northern region
   • Potential for new ceasefire negotiations to replace the 2022 deal
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. reuters.com — Seven Ethiopian armed groups announce anti-government alliance
   2. The Economist — Ethiopia may be descending into another civil war
   3. The Washington Post — Attacks by new rebel alliance stoke fear Ethiopia is returning to war
   4. BBC — Ethiopia's army says it has repelled TPLF attacks in first comment on fresh Tigray fighting
   5. Al Jazeera — Fighting widens across Ethiopia as Tigray clashes escalate
   6. latimes.com — Renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia effectively shatters 2022 peace deal that ended war
   7. dw.com — Ethiopia's military says it killed hundreds of TPLF rebels
   8. africa.businessinsider.com — Ethiopia’s biggest airline suspends flights to three cities as airport seizure threatens access to historic region
   9. dw.com — Ethiopia: Internet disrupted in Tigray amid conflict
   10. CNN — War has returned to Ethiopia’s Tigray — and former enemies are now fighting together. What changed?
   11. Reuters — Internet disruption seen in war-hit northern Ethiopia, web monitor says
   12. The Hill — Residents of largest city in northern Ethiopia express fear after eruption of fighting
   confidence 90%