**Ethiopia Faces Renewed Conflict as Fighting Intensifies in the North**
Ethiopia is witnessing a resurgence of violence as clashes intensify between federal troops and Tigrayan forces, raising concerns about a potential return to full-scale war in the northern regions of the country. The ongoing hostilities have led to the suspension of flights to the historically significant town of Lalibela, known for its UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches.
The Ethiopian federal army reported that it successfully repelled attacks in the North Wollo Zone of Amhara, claiming to have killed 272 fighters from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and wounded 260 others during a counteroffensive. Lieutenant General Assefa Chekol, the commander of the northeast army, stated that TPLF fighters and their allies attempted to breach government positions at multiple locations. "The army is carrying out the crucial task of clearing the occupied zone of the enemy by conducting targeted counter-attacks from key military positions it holds," Chekol remarked in a statement.
The escalation of violence has prompted Ethiopian Airlines to halt flights to Mekelle, Axum, and Shire, cities in the Tigray region that were recently seized by TPLF-linked forces. The situation has further deteriorated with the suspension of flights to Lalibela, which has become a focal point of concern amid the rising tensions.
Conflicting narratives have emerged regarding the origins of the renewed fighting. An adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed accused the TPLF of launching an “all-out offensive” against government positions in the Amhara and Afar regions. Conversely, Tigray’s regional authorities claimed that their forces were engaged in a “defensive battle” following an attack by federal forces utilizing aircraft, drones, and artillery.
TPLF Vice President Amanuel Assefa characterized the current situation as one of “full-blown war,” indicating a significant escalation in hostilities. The TPLF, which held political dominance in Ethiopia for nearly three decades prior to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's rise to power in 2018, has been embroiled in conflict with the federal government since November 2020. This conflict saw Eritrean troops and Amhara forces join the federal army against Tigrayan forces, resulting in a humanitarian crisis that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
Although a peace agreement mediated by the African Union in 2022 brought an end to large-scale fighting, unresolved issues regarding territorial disputes, the return of displaced populations, and the disarmament of Tigrayan forces have continued to fuel tensions. In May, the TPLF reinstated Tigray’s prewar regional council and elected party leader Debretsion Gebremichael as president, further complicating the political landscape.
The latest surge in violence follows the announcement of a new alliance between the TPLF and six other groups, including former adversaries from the Amhara region, who are united in their goal to challenge Abiy’s government. This development has raised alarms among regional and international observers.
The African Union has condemned the recent violence, warning that the formation of new political and military alliances could destabilize the region further and jeopardize the progress made towards peace since 2020. The AU highlighted that the seizure of airports and the detention of federal personnel contravene the 2022 peace agreement and called upon AU mediator and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to reengage with the conflicting parties.
In response to the escalating violence, the United Nations has called for urgent measures to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access to affected areas. The international community remains watchful as Ethiopia grapples with the specter of renewed conflict, which threatens to undo the fragile peace established in recent years.
As the situation evolves, the people of Ethiopia face the harsh realities of a renewed conflict, with the potential for further humanitarian crises looming on the horizon.