No Respite

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Eritrea launched a full-scale offensive in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray this week, an escalation from last month’s resumption of fighting against Tigrayan forces, Euronews reported.

Tigrayan officials called on residents to prepare for war, saying the region was facing an “existential challenge.” They added that Eritrean forces are fighting alongside Ethiopian government troops and allied militia.

The Eritrean and Ethiopian governments did not comment on the fighting, according to the BBC.

Ethiopian troops and Tigrayan rebels have been fighting since November 2020. The war has left tens of thousands dead, displaced millions and resulted in atrocities against civilians on both sides.

At one point, Eritrea entered the conflict to support Ethiopian forces, but reportedly withdrew most of its troops last year.

A full-fledged Eritrean intervention in the Tigray war might derail peace talks between Tigrayan leaders and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The situation in Tigray remains dire. Meanwhile, the region’s communications have been cut off, as have all banking services.