Ethiopia-Eritrea Tensions: Asmara Denies Troop Incursions Amid Rising Border Military Activity - Serwe News
As of February 12, 2026, the diplomatic rift between Ethiopia and Eritrea has widened following accusations from Addis Ababa regarding Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) occupying border territories. Eritrea has dismissed these claims as 'fabricated' and stated it has no desire to escalate the situation further.
A significant escalation in the Horn of Africa was reported today, February 12, 2026, as the Amhara Regional State Peace and Security Bureau formally accused Eritrea of involvement in ongoing fighting in the region. This follows a high-stakes week where the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from northwestern and northeastern border zones. Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos issued a letter to his counterpart, Osman Saleh Mohammed, describing recent EDF movements as 'acts of outright aggression' rather than mere provocations. In response, Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel characterized the accusations as a 'spiral of hostile campaigns' intended to justify a potential conflict over Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions. While Ethiopia remains open to dialogue, the rhetoric from both capitals has shifted from wartime alliance to public enmity, with regional observers warning of a potential return to full-scale border warfare.