Ethiopian federal forces and allied pro-government groups have advanced toward the border town of Zalambessa near Eritrea, raising fears that renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia could escalate into a broader regional conflict.

According to reports, Ethiopian troops and their allies are moving toward Zalambessa in the Tigray region, while Eritrean forces have reportedly withdrawn from parts of the town and repositioned north of the border. Residents said the military build-up has heightened fears that the area could soon become a battleground.

A local resident said Ethiopian troops had reached a point about five kilometres south of Zalambessa, while Eritrean soldiers remained deployed on the northern outskirts of the town. The resident warned that civilians were increasingly concerned about the possibility of cross-border fighting.

Claims that Ethiopian forces have crossed into Eritrean territory have not been independently verified. Ethiopian government-aligned sources denied that federal troops had entered Eritrea, while Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel dismissed reports of a border incursion as unreliable.

Fighting intensifies in Tigray

The latest developments come after Ethiopian government forces announced earlier this month that they had regained control of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region.

Following the withdrawal of forces affiliated with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), Eritrean troops were reportedly deployed to several locations in northern Tigray before pulling back after drone strikes in the area.

In recent days, pro-government forces have also advanced toward key towns near the Eritrean border, including Shire and Axum. TPLF Deputy Chairman Emanuil Assefa warned that the conflict could expand beyond Ethiopia's borders, claiming that armed groups opposed to the federal government would continue their campaign.

The renewed fighting, which resumed last month, marks the most serious escalation in northern Ethiopia since the 2020–2022 Tigray war. International actors, including the United States, have called on both Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise restraint amid growing concerns that the conflict could destabilize the wider Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a devastating border war between 1998 and 2000 that claimed tens of thousands of lives. Although the two countries restored diplomatic relations in 2018, ties deteriorated again during the final stages of the Tigray conflict.

The latest military movements along the frontier, combined with the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan, have intensified concerns that the Horn of Africa could face a wider regional security crisis if tensions continue to escalate.(ILKHA)