Eritrea has called on the United Nations Security Council to take “deterrent measures” following what it described as a declaration of war by Ethiopia amid ongoing conflict in the Tigray region. The two neighboring countries have exchanged accusations over the outbreak of hostilities, with Ethiopia asserting that Eritrea is supporting rebel forces in the area.

The conflict escalated last month after attacks by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) against Ethiopian federal forces sparked a military response. Eritrean troops subsequently entered Ethiopian territory, intensifying the confrontation. Ethiopian forces have since recaptured Mekelle, the regional capital held by the TPLF, and launched drone strikes targeting Eritrean positions.

In a letter to the Security Council, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh condemned Ethiopia’s actions as a “declaration of war” and urged the international body to issue a strong condemnation and implement measures to prevent further escalation. He warned that continued conflict would bring significant suffering to the populations of both countries and destabilize the wider region.

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos countered the claim, characterizing Eritrea’s involvement as “a blatant act of aggression” that justifies Ethiopia’s right to self-defense. The tensions mark a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries, which have a fraught history including a border war from 1998 to 2000.

Although ties improved after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018, the recent resurgence of hostilities has reversed much of that progress, raising concerns about prolonged instability in the Horn of Africa. The international community remains attentive to the situation amid calls for dialogue and restraint.