Eritrean forces reportedly suffer heavy losses and retreat amid Tigray conflict

Eritrean forces have reportedly suffered heavy losses and are retreating toward their border amid the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, according to Solomon Hailemariam, spokesperson for the Ethiopian pro-government Tigray Peace Force militia.

Hailemariam told AFP on October 13 that Eritrean troops crossed into Ethiopian territory but have been pushed back and are now retreating. However, AFP could not independently verify these claims.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian federal forces and allied militias are advancing toward a town near the Eritrean border, raising concerns about a potential escalation into a regional war. The International Crisis Group warned that Ethiopia and Eritrea are dangerously close to all-out war and called on the international community to urge restraint.

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel dismissed the militia’s claims as “not trustworthy” and denied reports of Ethiopian troops crossing into Eritrea, calling them “absolutely false.” Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of planning to use the Tigray conflict as a pretext to invade and seize the strategic Assab port on the Red Sea.

The conflict stems from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) launching an offensive against Ethiopian federal forces on September 23. Eritrea is accused of supporting the TPLF rebels, deploying an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 troops in Ethiopia. The TPLF has since lost control of key towns, including the Tigrayan capital Mekelle.

The situation remains tense as forces gather near the Eritrean border, with fears of a wider regional conflict growing.