The Ethiopian military has publicly alleged that Eritrea and Sudan are providing support to armed groups currently engaged in combat against federal forces. This accusation follows a period of escalating violence involving the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has been in conflict with the Ethiopian government for an extended period.

In response to the federal government's claims, the TPLF has characterized its current military operations as a "defensive war." The group claims to have successfully seized control of several airports, though these claims have not been independently verified. Reports from humanitarian sources indicate that the conflict has expanded into the Afar region, with the town of Erebti reportedly falling under rebel control on Sunday.

There is a significant discrepancy regarding the nature of the conflict. The Ethiopian government frames the TPLF as an insurgent force receiving illicit foreign backing, while the TPLF presents itself as a group forced into a defensive posture. Furthermore, the involvement of Eritrea and Sudan remains a point of contention; Ethiopia asserts these nations are actively backing the rebels, while neither Eritrea nor Sudan has provided a public response to these specific allegations within the context of this report. The situation on the ground remains volatile, with humanitarian organizations expressing concern over the expansion of hostilities into new territories, which threatens to further displace civilian populations and complicate aid delivery efforts in the region.