Tensions rise in Tigray as fears of renewed conflict intensify

Tensions Rise Between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Concerns Grow for Tigray Region

A recent escalation of tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea has raised concerns about the potential for renewed conflict in the Tigray region. Saba Gedion, a 21-year-old resident of Humera, a disputed area with the Amhara region, expressed her fears about the situation. Gedion, who fled to Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, due to safety concerns, witnessed the horrors of the 2020-2022 war between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

Gedion’s family was affected by the conflict, with some members killed and others abducted into Eritrea. She has not heard from them since. Gedion notes that many people are leaving the region in search of safety, mostly heading to the Afar region. “Recurring conflict and civil war have made us zombies rather than citizens,” she stated.

The tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been fueled by separate accusations from both sides. In early February, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed his country’s access to the sea, stating that the Red Sea and Ethiopia cannot remain separated forever. This has led to accusations by Eritrea that Addis Ababa is seeking to invade its country and reclaim the Red Sea Assab seaport.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrean troops of occupying its territory along parts of their shared border, calling for the immediate withdrawal of soldiers from certain towns. The country also accuses Eritrea of arming rebels in Ethiopia. Observers believe that the heightening tensions point to an impending war between the two countries, which could involve Tigray.

In Mekelle, a once-booming city, most streets are quiet. Young people who previously frequented cafes now often apply for visas and speak with smugglers in hopes of leaving Tigray. Helen Gessese, 36, lives in a makeshift IDP camp on the outskirts of Mekelle. She worries about what will become of the region should another conflict erupt.

Gessese’s family was also affected by the previous conflict, with several members kidnapped during Eritrean troop expansion. Her elderly parents were left behind when she fled to Mekelle, and she has not heard from them since 2022. The stress of the last few years has taken a toll on Gessese, making her seem much older than her age.

The humanitarian situation in Tigray remains dire, with over 80 percent of hospitals destroyed during the war. Sexual violence that defined the conflict is still a recurring issue. Hundreds of thousands of people are affected by the trauma and displacement caused by the previous conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera