This is the country that invaded Ethiopian territory with its army – and the connection to Israel

Reports from Ethiopia indicate the deployment of Eritrean forces in the Tigray region, days after the outbreak of fighting between the Tigray People's Liberation Front rebels and the Ethiopian government. Residents report Eritrean soldiers moving towards the city of Mekelle, while Asmara initially denied any involvement. The article links the regional escalation to Israeli interests in Somaliland, as part of a tripartite alliance aimed at securing Ethiopia's access to the sea.

Reports from Ethiopia indicate the deployment of Eritrean forces in the Tigray region, nearly two weeks after the outbreak of fighting between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels and the Ethiopian government. Residents reported on Wednesday that Eritrean forces had deployed around the town of Adigrat, with some moving south towards the city of Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after TPLF rebels withdrew. These reports come after tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea escalated, and the two countries severed diplomatic ties last week. Asmara initially denied any involvement, but residents quoted by the AFP news agency confirmed the presence of Eritrean soldiers carrying heavy weapons. The article links the escalation to Israeli interests in Somaliland: Ethiopia leased a coastal strip from Somaliland for 50 years and began building a port and military base there, as part of a tripartite alliance with Israel. Israeli presence in Somaliland, according to commentators in the Arab media, influences the decision-making of Egypt, Somalia, and Sudan. The fighting broke out on September 23 and raises fears of a return to the civil war that devastated the country between 2020 and 2022.