Symbolic imageEritrea appeals to UN as Ethiopian-allied forces say they retook Adigrat
Eritrea asked the UN Security Council on Saturday to condemn Ethiopia's "declaration of war". Ethiopian-allied forces say they retook Adigrat after an Eritrean incursion.
Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh wrote to the Security Council on Saturday, 10 October, calling Ethiopia's claims of an incursion a pretext for a war of aggression and urging deterrent measures. A day earlier, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos had accused Eritrea of an "all-out invasion" up to 60 kilometres into Tigray and invoked the right to self-defence under Article 51. The Tigray Peace Forces, a militia allied with the Ethiopian army, said Adigrat is "free". EFE could not verify the militia's video of celebrating residents.
Drone strikes near Adigrat
ACLED reported that drones believed to be Ethiopian struck Eritrean troops and vehicles near Adigrat on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, after the troops crossed the border at Zalambessa. A foreign security source told AFP that 5,000 to 8,000 Eritrean soldiers are in Tigray; Ethiopian authorities did not respond to AFP.
Red Sea access and Tigray
Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of backing TPLF rebels. Eritrea says Addis Ababa covets its port of Assab, while Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed repeats that landlocked Ethiopia needs sea access. The US State Department urged both governments to show restraint.