Eritrean troops move deep into Ethiopia's Tigray region, residents tell BBC

What is Tigray, and where is it in relation to Ethiopia and Eritrea?

Tigray is a region in northern Ethiopia. It lies next to Eritrea, whose border town of Zalambessa is one reported route for troops moving into the region. Tigray is governed by the Tigray People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, and contains major towns including Mekelle, Adigrat and Wukro.

The geography matters because Tigray borders Eritrea and sits along routes connecting the two countries. Residents reported Eritrean convoys moving from Zalambessa through Adigrat toward Edaga Hamus, which lies between Adigrat and Mekelle. Mekelle is Tigray's main city and is 115km south of Adigrat.

The reported movements have increased concern in Tigray after a previous war involving Eritrean forces. Ethiopia and Eritrea also severed diplomatic relations as fighting resumed. The BBC could not independently verify the reported movements, but the accounts have raised fears that local fighting could spread across borders.

What troop movements have residents reported, and how large were the convoys?

Residents described substantial Eritrean troop movements into Tigray. They reported convoys travelling south from the border town of Zalambessa, through Adigrat, and toward Edaga Hamus. Some accounts said troops also moved on foot, while other vehicles reportedly carried heavy weapons.

The reported convoy sizes varied. One Adigrat resident saw about 40 trucks carrying soldiers. Another saw 20 to 30 large trucks moving toward Edaga Hamus. A source in Mekelle said relatives in Adigrat had seen up to 60 trucks, with troops later deployed in mountainous terrain near Edaga Hamus.

Images appeared to show loaded military trucks moving toward Adigrat, Edaga Hamus and possibly Wukro. The BBC had not independently verified the images or troop reports. Sources also reported Ethiopian army soldiers and allied fighters entering Wukro after heavy-weapons fire nearby.

Why has the reported return of Eritrean soldiers caused fear among people in Tigray?

The reported return caused fear because Eritrean troops fought against the TPLF during the 2020-2022 civil war. The article says that conflict was among the most deadly this century and pushed Tigray to the precipice of famine. Residents therefore associate Eritrean soldiers with severe wartime suffering.

The emotional impact is clear in residents' descriptions. One person in Adigrat said memories were still fresh and that people were saddened to see Eritrean soldiers back. The article also says residents recalled atrocities allegedly committed by Eritrean forces during the previous conflict. Another resident reported troops passing through Edaga Hamus and drone strikes nearby.

Fear has grown alongside renewed fighting between Ethiopian national army troops and Tigrayan forces. Eritrea's reported involvement could reopen unresolved trauma and deepen civilian anxiety. The BBC had not independently verified the troop movements, but the reports alone sparked concern across Tigray.

Who are the TPLF, Ethiopia’s national army, and Eritrea, and how have they been aligned in the recent conflicts?

The TPLF is the party controlling Tigray and the main regional force opposing Ethiopia's federal government. Ethiopia's national army is fighting TPLF forces in the renewed conflict. Eritrea is a neighbouring country that previously fought alongside Ethiopia against the TPLF during the 2020-2022 war.

That alignment has changed sharply. Eritrea was a key ally of landlocked Ethiopia in the earlier war. Ethiopia has now accused Eritrea of backing the TPLF, although Asmara previously denied that claim. A senior Ethiopian official, Abraham Belay, instead accused Eritrea of participating directly in the current conflict.

The reported troop movements suggest Eritrean forces may again be operating inside Tigray, but the BBC could not independently verify them. TPLF forces withdrew from Mekelle over the weekend, leaving the city under national army control. The competing claims show how quickly former allies and enemies can realign.

What did the 2022 agreement do to end the Tigray war, and why has fighting started again?

The 2022 agreement ended the two-year war between Ethiopia's federal forces and the TPLF. It brought an end to major fighting that had devastated Tigray and contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis. The article does not give the agreement's formal name or detailed provisions.

Fighting resumed after months of tension between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF. Both sides blame the other for violating the 2022 deal. The renewed conflict also followed the launch in September of a new alliance of armed groups in Ethiopia, which includes the TPLF.

The fighting has spread across important Tigrayan locations. TPLF forces withdrew from Mekelle, which is now under national army control. Reports then emerged of Eritrean troops moving south from Zalambessa. Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic relations last week, showing that the breakdown of the agreement has consequences beyond Tigray.

How could Eritrean involvement turn fighting in Tigray into a wider conflict between Ethiopia and its neighbors?

Eritrean involvement could widen the conflict because Eritrea is a separate country, not an Ethiopian regional force. Troops crossing into Tigray would connect Ethiopia's internal fighting directly to relations with its northern neighbour. The article says the renewed conflict has already raised fears of a wider regional war.

Residents reported Eritrean convoys moving from Zalambessa through Adigrat toward central Tigray. An Ethiopian government official accused Eritrea of participating with its full capacity and logistics. Eritrea has previously denied backing the TPLF, and the BBC had not independently verified the reported movements.

The diplomatic consequences are already visible. Ethiopia and Eritrea severed relations last week as fighting resumed. Further troop deployments, clashes or alleged attacks near the border could draw in neighbouring states or intensify existing disputes. The article does not identify which neighbours would become involved, so the wider outcome remains uncertain.

Why is access to a Red Sea port especially important to landlocked Ethiopia?

Ethiopia is landlocked, meaning it has no coastline or seaport of its own. Access to a Red Sea port would give it a direct maritime route for imports, exports and other supplies. That makes port access strategically and economically important, although the article does not detail Ethiopia's trade arrangements.

The article says relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea deteriorated largely because of the Ethiopian prime minister's ambition to take ownership of one of Eritrea's Red Sea ports. Eritrea controls the ports, while Ethiopia depends on routes outside its territory because it has no coastline. The disagreement added pressure to an already tense relationship.

That dispute matters now because Eritrean forces are reportedly moving into Tigray as fighting resumes. Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic relations. Port ambitions, border tensions and military involvement could therefore reinforce one another, increasing the risk of a broader confrontation.

Key Facts:

📌 Tigray is in northern Ethiopia.

📌 Eritrea borders Tigray to the north.

📌 Mekelle lies 115km south of Adigrat.

📌 Residents reported convoys of 20 to 60 trucks.

📌 One witness saw about 40 trucks carrying soldiers.

📌 Some vehicles reportedly carried anti-aircraft guns.

📌 Eritrea fought against the TPLF during the 2020-2022 war.