**Title: Ethiopia Accuses Foreign Powers of Supporting Anti-Government Rebels Amid Renewed Conflict**
Ethiopia's military leadership has accused foreign nations, specifically Eritrea, Egypt, and Sudan, of providing support to armed militias aiming to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, the chief of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), made these allegations during an interview on Saturday, as the country faces escalating violence involving the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The TPLF, which has been a dominant political and military force in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, has re-emerged as a significant player in the ongoing conflict. Jula stated that the TPLF and Eritrean forces could not achieve their objectives without the backing of external powers, suggesting that Sudan and Egypt are instrumental in their operations. "Neither Shaebia [Eritrea] nor the TPLF can achieve anything alone, even if they are allied, unless they are backed, supported and supplied by Sudan, Egypt and other external powers," he asserted.
In response to these accusations, Sudan's military spokesman, Asim Awad Abdelwahab, described the claims as "baseless." He further alleged that Ethiopia was facilitating support for Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) by allowing their operations to pass through Ethiopian territory. As of Sunday, Egypt and Eritrea had not publicly commented on the allegations made by Ethiopia.
Relations between Ethiopia and its neighbors have been increasingly strained in recent years. A long-standing dispute exists between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile, while tensions with Sudan have escalated due to unresolved border issues. The relationship with Eritrea has also soured, despite Eritrea's previous support for the Ethiopian government during the Tigray conflict that lasted from 2020 to 2022.
The accusations from Ethiopia come on the heels of a significant development in the conflict: the formation of a coalition of seven armed groups, including the TPLF and the Amhara Fano National Movement. This coalition aims to oust Abiy Ahmed's government and has united former adversaries, including the Oromo Liberation Army. The renewed alliance has led to an intensification of fighting in the region.
Last week, TPLF-aligned forces reportedly seized control of airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire, detaining federal personnel and prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to the Tigray region. The violence has also spilled over into neighboring regions, including Amhara and Afar, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In a counteroffensive, the ENDF claimed to have killed 272 TPLF fighters and captured another 260, although these figures have not been independently verified. Field Marshal Jula emphasized the military's commitment to responding with "wisdom and restraint," cautioning that a full-scale war would have catastrophic consequences for civilians.
The African Union has intervened, urging all parties to de-escalate tensions and return to dialogue. They noted that the seizure of airports violates commitments made under the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which had previously ended a two-year conflict between federal forces and the TPLF that resulted in immense loss of life and displacement.
The situation in Ethiopia remains precarious, with the potential for further escalation as various factions vie for power and influence. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.