Ethiopia demands withdrawal of Eritrean troops in UN appeal
Addis Ababa says Eritrea sent troops to Tigray, but independent confirmation is lacking.
Follow-up to: Eritrean troops reportedly enter Tigray Thursday, 8 October 2026, 17:23
Ethiopia has asked the UN Security Council for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from its territory. In a letter, Addis Ababa calls the alleged incursion an act of aggression and says the country will defend itself if necessary.
The Ethiopian government says Eritrean soldiers have crossed the border and are in the north of the country. According to the letter to the Security Council, Ethiopia has no choice but to defend its territory. The letter follows reports of fresh tensions around Tigray.
A commander linked to the Ethiopian government told AP that Eritrean soldiers had been seen in two locations in Tigray. Conflict monitor ACLED likewise reported that Eritrean troops had allegedly crossed the border and were later attacked by Ethiopian drones. AP could not independently verify those reports.
Eritrea denies the allegations. Eritrea's Information Minister previously called the reports part of an Ethiopian plan to justify an attack on Eritrea. Ethiopia, too, has not made all details about the alleged troop movements public.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated further in recent weeks. Ethiopia expelled ten Eritrean diplomats last week and closed its embassy in Asmara. Addis Ababa also accuses Eritrea of supporting armed groups in Tigray; Eritrea denies this.
In Tigray, fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front withdrew from several locations, according to AP, after which government troops and their allies strengthened their positions. The region was previously badly affected by a war that ended in 2022 with a peace agreement.
The new confrontation also touches on Ethiopian plans to gain access to the Red Sea. Ethiopia has no coastline and is interested in Eritrea's port of Assab, while Eritrea regards the port as its own territory. It remains uncertain whether the reported troop movements will develop into a wider war.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Ethiopia says Eritrean troops have entered its territory and is calling for their withdrawal.
- Eritrea denies the allegations and says Ethiopia is trying to justify a war.
- There is no independent confirmation of the troop movements.
- The tensions follow earlier diplomatic measures and fighting in Tigray.
Left
Arguments The priority is protecting civilians, international mediation and preventing a new war in Tigray. External military involvement should be investigated and ended.
Values International law, human security and accountability.
Consequences Military escalation could cause new refugee flows and humanitarian suffering; diplomatic pressure and observers are therefore more important than displays of force.
Centre
Arguments The international community should quickly arrange an independent investigation into the allegations while urging all parties to show restraint. Neither government should present unconfirmed information as established fact.
Values Factual accuracy, sovereignty and institutional mediation.
Consequences An investigation could curb escalation, but it takes time while local fighting may continue.
Right
Arguments A state must be able to defend its borders and territorial integrity. If Eritrean troops have indeed invaded, firm deterrence is needed to prevent further incursions.
Values National security, order and state sovereignty.
Consequences Too little response could invite further aggression, but a military counter-response could instead widen the conflict across the region.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's core is based on a Reuters report about the Ethiopian letter and AP reporting on the alleged troop movements. The uncertainty and Eritrea's denial are explicitly included.
- confirmed Ethiopia asked the UN Security Council for the withdrawal of Eritrean troops. — Reported on the basis of an Ethiopian letter seen by Reuters. source
- confirmed Ethiopia says it will defend itself against an alleged invasion. — The wording appears in the position of the Ethiopian government described by Reuters. source
- confirmed An Ethiopian-linked commander reported Eritrean soldiers in two locations in Tigray. — AP described this statement and said the report could not be independently verified. source
- confirmed ACLED reported a border crossing and Ethiopian drone attacks. — AP and Reuters described ACLED's report; independent verification is lacking. source
- confirmed Ethiopia expelled ten Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Eritrea. — This was previously reported by AP. source
Editor's note
The Ethiopian letter and the allegations were reported by Reuters. The presence of Eritrean troops and the drone attacks have not been independently confirmed, according to AP and ACLED; Eritrea denies the allegations.Sources
- Ethiopia says it must defend itself against Eritrea's all-out invasion — Reuters via MarketScreener
- Eritrean forces seen entering towns in Ethiopia's Tigray region — Associated Press
- Ethiopia tells UN Security Council it has no choice but to defend itself against Eritrea — Anadolu Agency
The story so far
- Thursday, 8 October 2026, 17:23 Eritrean troops reportedly enter Tigray
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 10:44 Ethiopia demands withdrawal of Eritrean troops in UN appeal (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „ethiopië eritrea”
- RTL Nieuws — „ethiopië eritrea”
- NOS — „ethiopië eritrea”