Ethiopian Troops Reach Zalambessa on the Eritrea Border
Ethiopian government troops have advanced to Zalambessa on the Eritrea border, six sources in touch with residents said on Tuesday (Oct 13, 2026), as diplomats scrambled to avert war between the Horn of Africa neighbours. The town of around 15,000 people had previously been controlled by Tigrayan rebels.
Zalambessa lies on the Ethiopian side of the border, near the country's northernmost point. According to Reuters, the six sources included four people in touch with residents, a diplomat, and an expert on the conflict in touch with the warring parties. A spokesperson for a pro-government militia did not confirm the military taking control of the town.
Spokespeople for Ethiopia's military and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The federal advance is part of a government counter-offensive that has driven rebels from a string of towns, forcing them to retreat north.
Disputed Claims Over Eritrean Troops Crossing the Border
Witnesses and a conflict monitor said Eritrean troops had crossed last week into Zalambessa in support of the rebels, but it was unclear if the Eritrean troops or rebels were still present on Tuesday. Asmara has denied any incursion into Ethiopia.
Eritrea has also asked the United Nations to take deterrent measures against Ethiopia. The Asmara government argues that Addis Ababa's accusations of an invasion by Eritrean forces amounted to a "declaration of war".
For its part, Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of backing the rebels and wrote to members of the UN Security Council, stating that Eritrean troops had advanced up to 60 km (37 miles) inside Ethiopia.
Duelling Letters to the UN Security Council
Tensions are also escalating on the diplomatic front. Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh sent a letter to the UN Security Council, seen by Reuters, asking the council to take action against Addis Ababa and invoking Chapter VII of the UN Charter — the provision that allows for measures ranging from sanctions to military action.
On Tuesday, Security Council members were due to hold a closed-door meeting on the situation in the Horn of Africa, the Greek presidency of the Security Council said. Diplomats were reportedly racing to prevent war between the two Horn of Africa neighbours.
The issue of sea access has also roiled relations. Ethiopia had access to a coastline for decades until Eritrea gained independence from Addis Ababa in 1993. Ethiopia argues that restoring sea access is an existential issue, but has said it would be restored through peace and dialogue.
TPLF Offensive Reignites the Tigray War
Fighting broke out in Ethiopia last month as a rebel alliance led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) went on the offensive, reigniting a war that killed hundreds of thousands between 2020 and 2022. With Addis Ababa and Asmara now on opposing sides again, there are fears of broader contagion of violence this time around.
The two countries were locked in conflict for years before making peace in 2018. Eritrea even fought in support of Ethiopia's federal government during the 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray, but relations have since soured again.
