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Friday, 23 October 2026

Eritrea & the Horn of Africa · NatnaTV

Eritrea & the Horn of Africa · NatnaTV

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Federal forces pulled back from Zalambessa and Rama, monitors say, as Eritrean forces are reported digging trenches near Gundet Oromia and Somali region forces clash in Moyale; hundreds of Ethiopians cross into Kenya Eritrean cyclists are competing at the African Road Cycling Championships in Kisumu, Kenya Eritrea tells Geneva meeting that Sudan's Sovereign Council must be the sole state authority and accuses outside powers of arming the RSF Four people, including two children, killed in a drone strike on Finarwa in Tigray; no party has been identified as responsible Fano says an Ethiopian army drone struck a primary school in Dera, South Gondar; the claim is unverified Getachew Reda urges the international community to note Asmara's ‘destructive role’ and asks the UN to support Tigray's caretaker administration Ethiopian court orders Yohannes Buayalew, journalist Abay Zewdu and others to defend terrorism charges Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel rejects Abiy's account of Eritrea's industry and says Ethiopia has taken up to 90 billion dollars in aid over 35 years Abiy Ahmed says the TPLF had been preparing for another round of war in violation of the Pretoria agreement, and calls on Tigrayan youth to lay down their arms Ethiopia's federal government sets up a six-month caretaker administration for Tigray and says elections will be held within six months Abiy Ahmed appoints Lt. Gen. Belay Seyoum, the former Northern Command chief, deputy commissioner general of the Federal Police Eritrea's UN ambassador tells US diplomats there is no 'crisis' with Ethiopia and that Ethiopia must respect Eritrean territory Eritrea's Foreign Ministry says the country's sovereignty is not negotiable and calls the invasion accusation a fabrication Eritrea names its cycling squad for the African championships in Kisumu; Merhawi Kudus is named among the elite riders Officials say 73 people were killed in a drone attack on the Amiet market in Abyei; South Sudan summons Sudan's ambassador UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ozonnia Ojielo calls for the fighting in Tigray to stop and for civilian rule to be restored Tigray Peace Force commander says TPLF leaders crossed into Eritrea; Eritrea and the TPLF reject the claim US exposes drone and missile attacks in Addis Ababa US Embassy in Addis Ababa says fighting has decreased in Tigray and Afar, and tells its citizens not to travel to Amhara, Tigray or Afar Abiy Ahmed says Eritrea gains nothing by serving as a base for Ethiopia's enemies and warns that ignoring Ethiopia's calls will have "very severe consequences"Residents say fighting between federal forces and Fano has intensified in Wollo and Shewa; the Amhara Fano National Movement says it has no military agreement with any other force Alliance for Survival rejects Rubio's 'separatist' and 'terrorist' labels and urges Washington to take a balanced position Saudi Arabia acknowledges scale of Houthi missile attacks Houthi missiles hit a Yemeni army camp in Shabwa; the local authority says 53 people were killed US ambassador Ervin Massinga says conflict should never be the first option and that Tigray is stabilising TPLF warns against any movement at Mekelle airport; Getachew Reda calls it "classic terrorist tactics"Ethiopia's navy chief says the force is expanding its combat units and training to counter threats Abiy Ahmed says he held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; ENA says they discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral issues Tigray forces retake Abiy Adi after federal withdrawal, ACLED says Suspended DDR programme resumes in Tigray; former fighters hand over weapons and register in Mekelle Ethiopian troops reach Zalambessa on the Eritrean border, Reuters reports UN releases a further 8.5 million dollars in emergency funds for northern Ethiopia Wazema says the Ethiopian army showed foreign military attachés weapons it says were captured in Mekelle, accusing Eritrea and Sudan of supplying them Gambella Police impose an open-ended night curfew after an armed attack on Gambella city; civilians killed Pro-government Tigray militia says Eritrean troops have suffered heavy losses and are pulling back; Eritrea's information minister calls the militia untrustworthy Bisha mine halts processing; Eritrea's information minister says it is for maintenance Eritrea's foreign minister Osman Saleh briefs the diplomatic community in Asmara and asks the Security Council for Chapter VII measures Ethiopian forces take Rama, ACLED says Tigray TV says Tigrayan fighters ambushed federal forces twice in the Kola Tembien mountains; the claim is unverified Human Rights Watch says civilians have been killed by shelling in southern Tigray and some health facilities have closed Getachew Reda urges the EU to impose targeted sanctions on Eritrea; Eritrea's information minister calls the accusations groundless Ethiopian Red Cross says its ambulance driver was killed in an armed attack in Benishangul-Gumuz UK threatens a total visa ban on Eritreans; restrictions on Eritrean diplomats take effect US Embassy in Addis Ababa says fighting has largely subsided in Tigray, Amhara and Afar and that civil administration is being set up in Tigray UK calls for the sovereignty and borders of Horn of Africa states to be respected and for urgent de-escalation Ethiopian federal forces enter Adwa without resistance, residents say; Adwa Hospital and government offices looted overnight Eritrea's foreign ministry asks the African Union to restore its representation at AU headquarters; a similar letter went to UNECA Eritrea asks the UN to take deterrent measures Eritrea's information minister says the UAE sent Ethiopia 365 military shipments in nine months Two of the seven groups named in Ethiopia's new rebel alliance say they are not part of it Drone hits Tigrai TV headquarters in Mekelle, taking the station off air EEPA says the Afar border is an active combat zone between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, and cites unverified reports that Ethiopian troops crossed into Eritrea Ethiopia's Somali Regional State speaks publicly for the first time about the Somali soldiers who crossed the border, saying the case is going through legal and diplomatic channels Col. Tewolde says Tadesse Werede and his associates escaped rather than being released; the four have reached Mekelle Trump rejects Iran plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz Young men leaving Tigray over forced-recruitment fears HRW: Mekelle airstrike should be investigated as a possible war crime Internet and phone lines cut across Tigray Fighting spreads into Afar with clashes in Abala Sudanese army says it has taken Sodari in North Kordofan Wazema reports senior Tigray security officials detained in Mekelle Ethiopia presses case for sea access at the UN General Assembly Plane crash in DR Congo kills 17, including two senior military officials Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarch calls for peace and reconciliation at Meskel Venezuela frees 39 political prisoners after talks with the opposition Djibouti price surge squeezes Ethiopian truck drivers as Yemen war clouds Red Sea route Saudi Arabia asks UN to protect Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea EU announces almost 710 million euros in new humanitarian and migration funding German and Russian foreign ministers hold first talks since 2022 UN rights chief warns Ethiopia against a return to full-scale war Seventeen killed in shooting at South African bar Eritrean riders in action at the World Championships in Montreal Burhan rejects US conditions for a truce Telecoms and internet cut in Tigray At least 27 killed in two mass shootings in South African townships Sudanese doctors say RSF looted and wrecked hospital in recaptured Sodari Sudan Tribune: RSF takes $4 a barrel from South Sudan oil exports UN says more than 400 Sudanese are crossing into Chad every day Drone strike hits major fuel depot in central Sudan Eritrea rejects Ethiopian army chief's accusation Fano says it captured army vehicles and weapons in Amhara Ethiopian army chief says forces are answering with wisdom and restraint Arrests near UK air base used by US forces Meskel celebrated across Eritrea, with Patriarch Abune Basilios leading prayers in Asmara Patriarch Abune Mathias calls for peace at the Meskel Demera in Addis Ababa President Taye presses Ethiopia's case for sea access and Security Council reform at the UN UN rights chief says five schools in Tigray were hit by airstrikes, urges de-escalation Japan urges compliance with the Pretoria Agreement; Britain condemns the Tigray forces' attacks Two killed as an RSF drone strikes a displacement shelter in El Obeid Saudi Arabia complains to the UN over a drone strike on its aid convoy in Sudan Eritrea takes part in the 195th UCI Congress in Montreal New 180,000 cubic metre dam inaugurated at Adi-Hawosha Sudan's attorney general rejected the UAE's hosting of the UN crime congress Sudan Tribune says an RSF faction commander joined the army with 50 fighters Trump rejected Iran's seven-day proposal; Iran says it will not back down Osman Saleh discussed Red Sea security with the foreign ministers of Algeria, Burkina Faso and Egypt Ethiopians sweep Berlin Marathon as Assefa misses world record by 1:08 Al Jazeera says the Ethiopian army has retaken Sekota; federal forces reported closing in on Alamata Sudan and Egypt reject Ethiopian army chief's accusation; Sudan says the RSF was aided from Ethiopian soil Afar party chief says Tigray forces seized three towns in Zones 2 and 4; AFP told Erebti has fallen Darfur authorities reopen the Tina crossing with Chad for aid deliveries Rising cost of living in Djibouti squeezes Ethiopian truck drivers on the corridor Afar president accuses the Eritrean army of taking part in the fighting Israel's foreign ministry says it is working to evacuate about 20 Israelis stranded in Lalibela Federal troops and Tigray forces fighting on three fronts: the army holds Alamata and Sekota, Tigray forces push into Afar UCI fines Girmay, Mulubrhan and Eritrea's sports director over team kit at the Worlds Sudan's army says it downed an RSF drone in North Kordofan as warplanes resume strikes on Nyala Explosion heard at Kombolcha airport as flights are suspended UN and AU back Obasanjo's renewed mediation and urge a return to direct talks in northern Ethiopia Red Cross moves 161 people, including African Union monitors and Ethiopian Airlines staff, from Mekelle to Semera Somali army and forces loyal to ousted South West president fight for Baidoa MSF says war-wounded at its Korem and Alamata hospitals rose from 180 to more than 420 in four days Ethiopia's Council of Ministers approves a redraft of the Defence Forces Proclamation and sends it to parliament Osman Saleh calls at the UN for an end to the war destabilising the Horn and to intervention "under the rubric of humanitarian assistance"EU allocates €61 million for Ethiopia as the UN says aid access is severely restricted UAE condemns TPLF attacks and declares full solidarity with Ethiopia's government Tigray forces close to cutting Ethiopia's Djibouti road; at least 150,000 displaced in Afar Six US senators urge Rubio to push for a return to Tigray talks and criticise the lapse of sanctions Al Jazeera says federal forces have pushed more than 150km into Tigray and taken Mekoni, Wajena and Adi Gudom Two drone explosions reported at Ethiopia's Bishoftu air force base; senior pilot Kassahun Lema killed Live: Eritrea v South Africa — Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Bloomberg says two explosions were heard in Addis Ababa as drone flights over the capital are suspended Pirates killed five crew of the hijacked tanker Honour 25 as Puntland forces recovered the ship and captured 16 Egypt's foreign minister demands Egypt's Nile water share be doubled and rejects any new dams DW says residents reported 11 killed and 15 wounded at the Alamata market; the claim could not be verified Ethiopia orders an Egyptian diplomat out within 48 hours; Egypt orders out a counsellor at Ethiopia's embassy in Cairo Ethiopia's Somali region council re-elects Mustafa Omer president and Ibrahim Osman Farah vice president Eritrea severs all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia and accuses it of invading Eritrean ports and coastal areas Ethiopia closes its embassy in Asmara and orders 10 Eritrean diplomats out within 48 hours BBC says at least 52 civilians were killed in three days of fighting around Alamata, with more than 700 wounded Bloomberg says Ethiopia plans to pull more than 3,000 troops out of Somalia; Somalia says it was given no notice Isaias Afwerki travels to Egypt for a heads-of-state summit on Red Sea and Nile Basin security Debretsion says the war has entered a new and decisive phase Houthis say Saudi Arabia carried out air strikes on Sanaa and three Yemeni provinces Osman Saleh meets US officials in Washington and welcomes the removal of unilateral sanctions African Union Commission urges Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint and return to diplomacy Residents say TPLF fighters are leaving Mekelle as federal forces retake the city's airport US State Department urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to show maximum restraint and return to the 2018 peace framework Isaias and el-Sisi hold extensive talks at New Alamein, Eritrea's Information Ministry says Somalia's president rejects any Israeli presence and says Mogadishu does not object to Ethiopian sea access through Somali territory UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on northern Ethiopia Sisi hosts a four-way meeting at New Alamein with Isaias, al-Burhan and Somalia's Hassan Sheikh Mohamud AFP says a drone strike on a displacement camp at Sheraro in north-western Tigray killed at least eight, including a child Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia issue El Alamein joint declaration: Red Sea governance rests with littoral states alone Abraham Belay says a new interim administration will be set up in Tigray with elections within months, and accuses Eritrean forces of fighting alongside the TPLF Ethiopia's parliament re-elects Abiy Ahmed prime minister and swears him in for a five-year term; Ahmed Shide elected Speaker Houthis say they struck Abha airport after losing ground at Bab el-Mandeb The Guardian says armed groups in Tigray are forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15; the TPLF rejects the accusation Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission calls on fighters in Tigray to hand over their weapons and enter demobilisation centres around Mekelle Addis Standard says federal police opened fire on residents in Negele Borana, killing a 17-year-old and wounding six UN says a UN agency warehouse and aid groups' stores in Tigray have been looted, disrupting relief work Adigrat residents say Eritrean soldiers in two trucks drove through the town; Yemane Gebremeskel denies any Eritrean presence Critical Threats Project says Fano fighters have cut federal supply routes to Mekelle on two highways Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of a troop incursion and demands an immediate withdrawal ACLED says Eritrean forces crossed the border at Zelambesa and that Ethiopian drones struck them at Guada UN Human Rights Council appoints Sihaka Tsemo of Cameroon as Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea Residents say Tigray forces have withdrawn from Shire; federal troops had not entered the town US Embassy in Addis Ababa warns of possible long-range attacks on Ethiopian military installations and tells citizens to leave Amhara, Tigray and Afar Ethiopia's rights commission says the right to life and personal security have fallen into an alarming state; its chief commissioner calls the northern violence a localised clash, not a full-scale war Ethiopia takes its case against Eritrea to the UN as drone strikes raise tensions ACLED says federal forces have taken Idaga Hamus, Atsibi and Freweyni in eastern Tigray, with Adigrat expected next Getachew Reda promises visible change in Mekelle; intelligence chief Redwan Hussein meets him at the airport Egypt condemns the attack on Riyadh international airport Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission names nine reception points in Tigray, calling it a final opportunity for TPLF combatants Abiy Ahmed reappoints Getachew Reda as adviser on East African affairs with the rank of minister Abiy Ahmed appoints 62 state ministers across 22 federal ministries Eritrea asks the UN Security Council to condemn Ethiopia and to take Chapter VII measures International community issues urgent warnings over the Horn of Africa Ethiopian Airlines to resume Mekelle flights on Sunday Ethiopian federal police begin security operations in Mekelle Amhara Fano National Movement claims ten towns in Shoa, most of them within 150km of Addis Ababa Getachew Reda declares the Tigray war over Abiy Ahmed holds a phone call with Netanyahu; ENA says they discussed bilateral ties and regional developments Somalia says it is neutral in the Ethiopia–Eritrea standoff and rejects claims it has sided with Egypt and Eritrea Sudan's army says it shot down a drone that entered from Ethiopia, without saying whose it was Rights monitor says Egyptian warplanes bombed gold miners inside Sudan, killing at least 72; survivors put the toll above 200 IOM says 139 died and 84 are missing after a boat sank off Djibouti; all 82 survivors are Ethiopians UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on northern Ethiopia at the United States' request Somaliland's foreign minister says Ethiopia has the right to defend itself and calls on the region to settle its disputes through dialogue

Federal forces pulled back from Zalambessa and Rama, monitors say, as Eritrean forces are reported digging trenches near Gundet Oromia and Somali region forces clash in Moyale; hundreds of Ethiopians cross into Kenya Eritrean cyclists are competing at the African Road Cycling Championships in Kisumu, Kenya Eritrea tells Geneva meeting that Sudan's Sovereign Council must be the sole state authority and accuses outside powers of arming the RSF Four people, including two children, killed in a drone strike on Finarwa in Tigray; no party has been identified as responsible Fano says an Ethiopian army drone struck a primary school in Dera, South Gondar; the claim is unverified Getachew Reda urges the international community to note Asmara's ‘destructive role’ and asks the UN to support Tigray's caretaker administration Ethiopian court orders Yohannes Buayalew, journalist Abay Zewdu and others to defend terrorism charges Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel rejects Abiy's account of Eritrea's industry and says Ethiopia has taken up to 90 billion dollars in aid over 35 years Abiy Ahmed says the TPLF had been preparing for another round of war in violation of the Pretoria agreement, and calls on Tigrayan youth to lay down their arms Ethiopia's federal government sets up a six-month caretaker administration for Tigray and says elections will be held within six months Abiy Ahmed appoints Lt. Gen. Belay Seyoum, the former Northern Command chief, deputy commissioner general of the Federal Police Eritrea's UN ambassador tells US diplomats there is no 'crisis' with Ethiopia and that Ethiopia must respect Eritrean territory Eritrea's Foreign Ministry says the country's sovereignty is not negotiable and calls the invasion accusation a fabrication Eritrea names its cycling squad for the African championships in Kisumu; Merhawi Kudus is named among the elite riders Officials say 73 people were killed in a drone attack on the Amiet market in Abyei; South Sudan summons Sudan's ambassador UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ozonnia Ojielo calls for the fighting in Tigray to stop and for civilian rule to be restored Tigray Peace Force commander says TPLF leaders crossed into Eritrea; Eritrea and the TPLF reject the claim US exposes drone and missile attacks in Addis Ababa US Embassy in Addis Ababa says fighting has decreased in Tigray and Afar, and tells its citizens not to travel to Amhara, Tigray or Afar Abiy Ahmed says Eritrea gains nothing by serving as a base for Ethiopia's enemies and warns that ignoring Ethiopia's calls will have "very severe consequences"Residents say fighting between federal forces and Fano has intensified in Wollo and Shewa; the Amhara Fano National Movement says it has no military agreement with any other force Alliance for Survival rejects Rubio's 'separatist' and 'terrorist' labels and urges Washington to take a balanced position Saudi Arabia acknowledges scale of Houthi missile attacks Houthi missiles hit a Yemeni army camp in Shabwa; the local authority says 53 people were killed US ambassador Ervin Massinga says conflict should never be the first option and that Tigray is stabilising TPLF warns against any movement at Mekelle airport; Getachew Reda calls it "classic terrorist tactics"Ethiopia's navy chief says the force is expanding its combat units and training to counter threats Abiy Ahmed says he held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; ENA says they discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral issues Tigray forces retake Abiy Adi after federal withdrawal, ACLED says Suspended DDR programme resumes in Tigray; former fighters hand over weapons and register in Mekelle Ethiopian troops reach Zalambessa on the Eritrean border, Reuters reports UN releases a further 8.5 million dollars in emergency funds for northern Ethiopia Wazema says the Ethiopian army showed foreign military attachés weapons it says were captured in Mekelle, accusing Eritrea and Sudan of supplying them Gambella Police impose an open-ended night curfew after an armed attack on Gambella city; civilians killed Pro-government Tigray militia says Eritrean troops have suffered heavy losses and are pulling back; Eritrea's information minister calls the militia untrustworthy Bisha mine halts processing; Eritrea's information minister says it is for maintenance Eritrea's foreign minister Osman Saleh briefs the diplomatic community in Asmara and asks the Security Council for Chapter VII measures Ethiopian forces take Rama, ACLED says Tigray TV says Tigrayan fighters ambushed federal forces twice in the Kola Tembien mountains; the claim is unverified Human Rights Watch says civilians have been killed by shelling in southern Tigray and some health facilities have closed Getachew Reda urges the EU to impose targeted sanctions on Eritrea; Eritrea's information minister calls the accusations groundless Ethiopian Red Cross says its ambulance driver was killed in an armed attack in Benishangul-Gumuz UK threatens a total visa ban on Eritreans; restrictions on Eritrean diplomats take effect US Embassy in Addis Ababa says fighting has largely subsided in Tigray, Amhara and Afar and that civil administration is being set up in Tigray UK calls for the sovereignty and borders of Horn of Africa states to be respected and for urgent de-escalation Ethiopian federal forces enter Adwa without resistance, residents say; Adwa Hospital and government offices looted overnight Eritrea's foreign ministry asks the African Union to restore its representation at AU headquarters; a similar letter went to UNECA Eritrea asks the UN to take deterrent measures Eritrea's information minister says the UAE sent Ethiopia 365 military shipments in nine months Two of the seven groups named in Ethiopia's new rebel alliance say they are not part of it Drone hits Tigrai TV headquarters in Mekelle, taking the station off air EEPA says the Afar border is an active combat zone between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, and cites unverified reports that Ethiopian troops crossed into Eritrea Ethiopia's Somali Regional State speaks publicly for the first time about the Somali soldiers who crossed the border, saying the case is going through legal and diplomatic channels Col. Tewolde says Tadesse Werede and his associates escaped rather than being released; the four have reached Mekelle Trump rejects Iran plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz Young men leaving Tigray over forced-recruitment fears HRW: Mekelle airstrike should be investigated as a possible war crime Internet and phone lines cut across Tigray Fighting spreads into Afar with clashes in Abala Sudanese army says it has taken Sodari in North Kordofan Wazema reports senior Tigray security officials detained in Mekelle Ethiopia presses case for sea access at the UN General Assembly Plane crash in DR Congo kills 17, including two senior military officials Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarch calls for peace and reconciliation at Meskel Venezuela frees 39 political prisoners after talks with the opposition Djibouti price surge squeezes Ethiopian truck drivers as Yemen war clouds Red Sea route Saudi Arabia asks UN to protect Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea EU announces almost 710 million euros in new humanitarian and migration funding German and Russian foreign ministers hold first talks since 2022 UN rights chief warns Ethiopia against a return to full-scale war Seventeen killed in shooting at South African bar Eritrean riders in action at the World Championships in Montreal Burhan rejects US conditions for a truce Telecoms and internet cut in Tigray At least 27 killed in two mass shootings in South African townships Sudanese doctors say RSF looted and wrecked hospital in recaptured Sodari Sudan Tribune: RSF takes $4 a barrel from South Sudan oil exports UN says more than 400 Sudanese are crossing into Chad every day Drone strike hits major fuel depot in central Sudan Eritrea rejects Ethiopian army chief's accusation Fano says it captured army vehicles and weapons in Amhara Ethiopian army chief says forces are answering with wisdom and restraint Arrests near UK air base used by US forces Meskel celebrated across Eritrea, with Patriarch Abune Basilios leading prayers in Asmara Patriarch Abune Mathias calls for peace at the Meskel Demera in Addis Ababa President Taye presses Ethiopia's case for sea access and Security Council reform at the UN UN rights chief says five schools in Tigray were hit by airstrikes, urges de-escalation Japan urges compliance with the Pretoria Agreement; Britain condemns the Tigray forces' attacks Two killed as an RSF drone strikes a displacement shelter in El Obeid Saudi Arabia complains to the UN over a drone strike on its aid convoy in Sudan Eritrea takes part in the 195th UCI Congress in Montreal New 180,000 cubic metre dam inaugurated at Adi-Hawosha Sudan's attorney general rejected the UAE's hosting of the UN crime congress Sudan Tribune says an RSF faction commander joined the army with 50 fighters Trump rejected Iran's seven-day proposal; Iran says it will not back down Osman Saleh discussed Red Sea security with the foreign ministers of Algeria, Burkina Faso and Egypt Ethiopians sweep Berlin Marathon as Assefa misses world record by 1:08 Al Jazeera says the Ethiopian army has retaken Sekota; federal forces reported closing in on Alamata Sudan and Egypt reject Ethiopian army chief's accusation; Sudan says the RSF was aided from Ethiopian soil Afar party chief says Tigray forces seized three towns in Zones 2 and 4; AFP told Erebti has fallen Darfur authorities reopen the Tina crossing with Chad for aid deliveries Rising cost of living in Djibouti squeezes Ethiopian truck drivers on the corridor Afar president accuses the Eritrean army of taking part in the fighting Israel's foreign ministry says it is working to evacuate about 20 Israelis stranded in Lalibela Federal troops and Tigray forces fighting on three fronts: the army holds Alamata and Sekota, Tigray forces push into Afar UCI fines Girmay, Mulubrhan and Eritrea's sports director over team kit at the Worlds Sudan's army says it downed an RSF drone in North Kordofan as warplanes resume strikes on Nyala Explosion heard at Kombolcha airport as flights are suspended UN and AU back Obasanjo's renewed mediation and urge a return to direct talks in northern Ethiopia Red Cross moves 161 people, including African Union monitors and Ethiopian Airlines staff, from Mekelle to Semera Somali army and forces loyal to ousted South West president fight for Baidoa MSF says war-wounded at its Korem and Alamata hospitals rose from 180 to more than 420 in four days Ethiopia's Council of Ministers approves a redraft of the Defence Forces Proclamation and sends it to parliament Osman Saleh calls at the UN for an end to the war destabilising the Horn and to intervention "under the rubric of humanitarian assistance"EU allocates €61 million for Ethiopia as the UN says aid access is severely restricted UAE condemns TPLF attacks and declares full solidarity with Ethiopia's government Tigray forces close to cutting Ethiopia's Djibouti road; at least 150,000 displaced in Afar Six US senators urge Rubio to push for a return to Tigray talks and criticise the lapse of sanctions Al Jazeera says federal forces have pushed more than 150km into Tigray and taken Mekoni, Wajena and Adi Gudom Two drone explosions reported at Ethiopia's Bishoftu air force base; senior pilot Kassahun Lema killed Live: Eritrea v South Africa — Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Bloomberg says two explosions were heard in Addis Ababa as drone flights over the capital are suspended Pirates killed five crew of the hijacked tanker Honour 25 as Puntland forces recovered the ship and captured 16 Egypt's foreign minister demands Egypt's Nile water share be doubled and rejects any new dams DW says residents reported 11 killed and 15 wounded at the Alamata market; the claim could not be verified Ethiopia orders an Egyptian diplomat out within 48 hours; Egypt orders out a counsellor at Ethiopia's embassy in Cairo Ethiopia's Somali region council re-elects Mustafa Omer president and Ibrahim Osman Farah vice president Eritrea severs all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia and accuses it of invading Eritrean ports and coastal areas Ethiopia closes its embassy in Asmara and orders 10 Eritrean diplomats out within 48 hours BBC says at least 52 civilians were killed in three days of fighting around Alamata, with more than 700 wounded Bloomberg says Ethiopia plans to pull more than 3,000 troops out of Somalia; Somalia says it was given no notice Isaias Afwerki travels to Egypt for a heads-of-state summit on Red Sea and Nile Basin security Debretsion says the war has entered a new and decisive phase Houthis say Saudi Arabia carried out air strikes on Sanaa and three Yemeni provinces Osman Saleh meets US officials in Washington and welcomes the removal of unilateral sanctions African Union Commission urges Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint and return to diplomacy Residents say TPLF fighters are leaving Mekelle as federal forces retake the city's airport US State Department urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to show maximum restraint and return to the 2018 peace framework Isaias and el-Sisi hold extensive talks at New Alamein, Eritrea's Information Ministry says Somalia's president rejects any Israeli presence and says Mogadishu does not object to Ethiopian sea access through Somali territory UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on northern Ethiopia Sisi hosts a four-way meeting at New Alamein with Isaias, al-Burhan and Somalia's Hassan Sheikh Mohamud AFP says a drone strike on a displacement camp at Sheraro in north-western Tigray killed at least eight, including a child Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia issue El Alamein joint declaration: Red Sea governance rests with littoral states alone Abraham Belay says a new interim administration will be set up in Tigray with elections within months, and accuses Eritrean forces of fighting alongside the TPLF Ethiopia's parliament re-elects Abiy Ahmed prime minister and swears him in for a five-year term; Ahmed Shide elected Speaker Houthis say they struck Abha airport after losing ground at Bab el-Mandeb The Guardian says armed groups in Tigray are forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15; the TPLF rejects the accusation Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission calls on fighters in Tigray to hand over their weapons and enter demobilisation centres around Mekelle Addis Standard says federal police opened fire on residents in Negele Borana, killing a 17-year-old and wounding six UN says a UN agency warehouse and aid groups' stores in Tigray have been looted, disrupting relief work Adigrat residents say Eritrean soldiers in two trucks drove through the town; Yemane Gebremeskel denies any Eritrean presence Critical Threats Project says Fano fighters have cut federal supply routes to Mekelle on two highways Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of a troop incursion and demands an immediate withdrawal ACLED says Eritrean forces crossed the border at Zelambesa and that Ethiopian drones struck them at Guada UN Human Rights Council appoints Sihaka Tsemo of Cameroon as Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea Residents say Tigray forces have withdrawn from Shire; federal troops had not entered the town US Embassy in Addis Ababa warns of possible long-range attacks on Ethiopian military installations and tells citizens to leave Amhara, Tigray and Afar Ethiopia's rights commission says the right to life and personal security have fallen into an alarming state; its chief commissioner calls the northern violence a localised clash, not a full-scale war Ethiopia takes its case against Eritrea to the UN as drone strikes raise tensions ACLED says federal forces have taken Idaga Hamus, Atsibi and Freweyni in eastern Tigray, with Adigrat expected next Getachew Reda promises visible change in Mekelle; intelligence chief Redwan Hussein meets him at the airport Egypt condemns the attack on Riyadh international airport Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission names nine reception points in Tigray, calling it a final opportunity for TPLF combatants Abiy Ahmed reappoints Getachew Reda as adviser on East African affairs with the rank of minister Abiy Ahmed appoints 62 state ministers across 22 federal ministries Eritrea asks the UN Security Council to condemn Ethiopia and to take Chapter VII measures International community issues urgent warnings over the Horn of Africa Ethiopian Airlines to resume Mekelle flights on Sunday Ethiopian federal police begin security operations in Mekelle Amhara Fano National Movement claims ten towns in Shoa, most of them within 150km of Addis Ababa Getachew Reda declares the Tigray war over Abiy Ahmed holds a phone call with Netanyahu; ENA says they discussed bilateral ties and regional developments Somalia says it is neutral in the Ethiopia–Eritrea standoff and rejects claims it has sided with Egypt and Eritrea Sudan's army says it shot down a drone that entered from Ethiopia, without saying whose it was Rights monitor says Egyptian warplanes bombed gold miners inside Sudan, killing at least 72; survivors put the toll above 200 IOM says 139 died and 84 are missing after a boat sank off Djibouti; all 82 survivors are Ethiopians UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on northern Ethiopia at the United States' request Somaliland's foreign minister says Ethiopia has the right to defend itself and calls on the region to settle its disputes through dialogue

Ethiopia

Abiy Ahmed says the TPLF had been preparing for another round of war in violation of the Pretoria agreement, and calls on Tigrayan youth to lay down their arms

In an interview with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, the Prime Minister accused the group of buying and soliciting weapons, recruiting young people, holding displaced people hostage and destroying restored infrastructure.

Wednesday, 21 October 2026ናትና ዜና

Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) — file photograph of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

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In an EBC interview, Abiy Ahmed said the TPLF had been preparing for another round of war in violation of the Pretoria agreement, and urged Tigrayan youth to lay down their arms and return to development.

"War is bad and yields no benefit," Abiy said, adding that "a war fought for the interests of foreign forces is even worse." He told young Tigrayans: "Lay down your Kalashnikov and return to development."

The Ethiopian News Agency carried the remarks in a report datelined 20 October. The TPLF, which has rejected the federal caretaker administration installed in Tigray this month, has made no public response to these accusations.

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