New clashes have been reported in recent days in western Tigray, reviving fears of renewed hostilities between Tigrayan forces and the Ethiopian federal government, three years after the end of the deadly war that ravaged the region. The Tsemlet area, where violence has been reported, is at the heart of territorial disputes that also involve forces from the neighboring Amhara region.
International calls for de-escalation
In a letter addressed to the African Union, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) stated its support for calls for "restraint and dialogue" and declared its readiness to participate in any mediation initiative led by the continental organization. The African Union, for its part, urged the parties to exercise "maximum restraint" in the face of the risk of reigniting a conflict that had claimed at least 600.000 lives.
The situation is being closely monitored by the United Nations, whose Secretary-General António Guterres is also calling for an end to any escalation. The European Union has also warned of the consequences of renewed violence for civilians and regional stability, following reports that two drone strikes were carried out on Saturday in Tigray, killing a truck driver according to a local media outlet close to the Tigrayan authorities.
The tensions are already accompanied by major disruptions: air links to Tigray operated by Ethiopian Airlines, the only company serving this region, have been suspended since Thursday.
