Heavy fighting erupts near Sudan border as army and TPLF exchange

Fierce fighting reportedly erupted in western Tigray near the Sudanese border, around the village of Shererina, as forces affiliated with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) exchanged heavy fire.

According to reports, the clashes began early Saturday morning and involved a TPLF unit known as “Army 70,” reportedly based across the border in Sudan, and Ethiopian federal troops. The fighting reportedly involved heavy artillery, mechanized units, and drones.

The TPLF’s deputy leader, Amanuel Assefa, told AFP that federal forces had launched an offensive against the group’s positions using heavy artillery. The Ethiopian government has not yet confirmed this account of events. Amanuel said that the fighting, which began around 6:00 a.m., was “still ongoing.”

For several months, the two sides, whose relations have been severely strained, have accused each other of attempting to spark a new conflict.

Tensions have also persisted between Ethiopia and Sudan, with Addis Ababa accusing Khartoum of financing TPLF “mercenaries.” Sudan, meanwhile, has reported drone strikes that it said originated from Ethiopian territory.