Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions flare over alleged arms shipment

Ethiopian federal police have reported the interception of a large shipment of ammunition in the Amhara region, alleging that the consignment originated from Eritrea and was destined for armed groups fighting the Ethiopian state. Eritrea has firmly rejected the claim, describing it as “ false flags.”

According to police statements, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition were confiscated, and two individuals were detained during the operation. The seizure comes amid ongoing clashes between Ethiopian security forces and Fano militias in the Amhara region, adding to already heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, whose landmark 2018 peace agreement has steadily deteriorated in recent years.

Eritrean officials dismissed the accusations, arguing that Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party (PP) is seeking to manufacture a pretext for renewed conflict. “The PP regime is floating false flags to justify the war that it has been itching to unleash for two long years,” Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, told Reuters.

Diplomatic rhetoric between Addis Ababa and Asmara has intensified over the past two years. In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Ethiopian government accused Eritrea, alongside hardliners within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), of “funding, mobilizing, and directing armed groups such as Fano” in northern Ethiopia. The letter further claimed that the alleged alliance was preparing to wage war under a coalition referred to as “Tsimdo.”

Ethiopia warned that Eritrea’s actions were aimed at destabilizing the country at a time when Addis Ababa has been increasingly vocal about securing access to the Red Sea, an ambition that Asmara views as a strategic threat. Ethiopian officials have repeatedly alleged that Eritrea is supplying weapons to militias operating inside Ethiopian territory, though Eritrea has consistently denied these claims and has not acknowledged any involvement.

While Ethiopia’s push for sea access has become a prominent source of friction, the roots of the current tensions lie in the aftermath of the war in Tigray. During that conflict, Addis Ababa and Asmara were close military partners. However, relations soured following the Pretoria peace agreement, which ended the war in late 2022. Eritrea expressed anger over the lack of consultation and exclusion from the negotiations, a grievance that has since contributed to strained relations.

The latest accusation reflects a growing hostility between the two neighbors, fueling concerns among regional observers that the escalating war of words could tip into a broader confrontation.

Source: Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions flare over alleged arms shipment | Geeska