Will Ethiopia’s neighbours intervene as Tigray war escalates?

What happened: Ethiopian federal forces entered Mekelle as rebel forces including the TPLF withdrew, ending the 2022 Pretoria ceasefire. Fighting continues elsewhere in Tigray, with reports of Eritrean troops entering northern towns. Key numbers: Fighting erupted late last month; the 2020-22 Tigray war lasted nearly a year and a half after Mekelle's 2020 capture; the Why it matters: Analysts say rebel reversals concern Egypt and Ethiopian rivals, while Eritrea may seek to keep fighting inside Tigray. A prolonged conflict could tie down Ethiopian forces and limit Red Sea ambitions.

Ethiopian federal forces entered Mekelle as rebel forces including the TPLF withdrew, ending the 2022 Pretoria ceasefire. Fighting continues elsewhere in Tigray, with reports of Eritrean troops entering northern towns.

Analysts say rebel reversals concern Egypt and Ethiopian rivals, while Eritrea may seek to keep fighting inside Tigray. A prolonged conflict could tie down Ethiopian forces and limit Red Sea ambitions.