How the fighting in Ethiopia spread beyond Tigray, in maps and charts | Conflict News
Fighting Intensifies in Northern Ethiopia Nearly Four Years After Peace Deal
Fighting has escalated across northern Ethiopia, nearly four years after a peace agreement concluded a devastating two-year conflict in the Tigray region. The current violence has spread into the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions, prompting concerns of a wider regional conflict.
Government-aligned forces reported that they captured the strategic town of Alamata in Tigray on September 28. Meanwhile, Tigrayan forces have advanced into Afar. Communications have been disrupted across much of Tigray, and commercial flights have been suspended, complicating humanitarian efforts and separating families.
Ethiopia’s army chief has accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting armed groups involved in the conflict; however, these countries have denied the allegations. Egypt has emphasized its commitment to respecting the sovereignty of its neighbors.
Conflict Zones
The fighting is concentrated in three northern regions: Tigray, Amhara, and Afar, with multiple active fronts instead of a single battlefield.
In southern Tigray, government forces and their allies have taken control of Alamata, a vital supply hub located approximately 120 kilometers south of the regional capital, Mekelle. On September 22, conflicts escalated with 15 to 17 drone strikes reported in Alamata, affecting several schools and a hospital, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
To the west, a separate front has emerged near the Tekeze River, an area contested between Tigray and Amhara. Fighting has also been reported in northern Amhara around Kobo and Gidan in North Wello zone, as well as Sekota in the Wag Hemra zone, which government forces recaptured on September 27. Additionally, Tigrayan forces have advanced into northeastern Afar, where clashes have occurred along the Tigray-Afar border, particularly around the towns of Erebti and Abala. This advance poses a risk to the Semera-Djibouti corridor, a key route for Ethiopia’s imports, including fuel.
Combatant Groups
On September 20, seven Ethiopian armed and political factions formed the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, aiming to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and establish an inclusive transitional administration. This coalition includes:
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The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF): The main military force within the alliance, which previously dominated Ethiopian politics until the recent conflict began in November 2020.
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The Amhara Fano National Movement: A coalition of Fano factions that opposed Abiy’s government after having allied with federal forces during the Tigray war.
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The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA): Active since 2018, the OLA seeks greater self-determination for the Oromo people.
Other groups in the alliance include the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (Ugugumo), the Benishangul Peoples’ Liberation Movement, and the Gumuz Peoples’ Democratic Movement. On September 25, the Sidama National Liberation Front announced its intention to join the coalition.
The alliance’s composition is disputed; for example, the Gumuz Peoples’ Democratic Movement has stated it does not have an armed wing and thus did not join, while opinions within the ONLF vary. According to ACLED, only the TPLF, the Amhara Fano National Movement, and Ugugumo were actively engaged in fighting as of September 26.
In its founding statement, the alliance accused the government of “dictatorial rule” and expressed that a transitional government would address the country’s conflicts, protect human rights, and initiate national dialogue.
Background
Ethiopia, located in the Horn of Africa, borders Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Djibouti. It is Africa’s second-most populous country, with approximately 139 million residents, and is known for its ethnic diversity, home to over 80 distinct groups.
The ongoing hostilities are rooted in unresolved political and territorial tensions from the 2020-2022 Tigray war. Both the TPLF and the federal government contend with disputes over political authority, security responsibilities, and territorial claims.
Tensions have heightened since August, when clashes between Tigrayan and federal forces began near the Sudanese border. Following a series of federal drone strikes and troop movements, Tigrayan forces mobilized tanks and artillery southward. The situation escalated on September 23, when Tigrayan forces captured airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire, advancing into neighboring Afar and Amhara. The government has characterized these actions as an “all-out offensive,” while the TPLF claims it is engaged in a “defensive war” against federal attacks using air and artillery support.
