Ethiopia Tells UN Eritrea Invaded Tigray, Pushed 60km

A group of Israelis was evacuated by helicopter from northern Ethiopia last week. Ethiopia has told the UN Security Council that Eritrean forces have pushed as far as 60km (37 miles) into its northern Tigray region.

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos wrote to Council members in a letter dated October 8. He called the incursion an "all-out invasion" and accused Eritrea of violating Ethiopia's sovereignty. He also described it as a "blatant act of aggression that engages Ethiopia's inherent right to self-defence." The letter appealed for backing: "In this time of difficulty, when Ethiopia is left with no other option but to defend itself, we count on your understanding, support, and solidarity."

Israelis had already been told to stay out of Tigray; in September, Israel's Foreign Ministry advised against all travel to the region until further notice.

ACLED, a US-based conflict monitor, said "multiple drone strikes" hit "Eritrean troops and ammunition" in the Tigrayan town of Adigrat on Wednesday and Thursday overnight.

One resident told AFP that "there were many, many drone strikes." The resident said several Eritrean lorries had been wrecked. A second witness quoted by AFP said Eritrean troops seemed to be withdrawing northward once the strikes ended.

Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel rejected the accusations. He said his country faces "an unprovoked war of aggression" from its neighbor. On Friday he called the charges against Asmara "duplicity in their most extreme forms."

In a post on X, Yemane accused Ethiopia of "openly working to bring about regime change in Eritrea by providing shelter and support to certain mercenaries who claim to be opposition." Eritrea blames the conflict on Ethiopia's leaders and accuses them of seeking a pretext to seize Eritrean territory.

On September 30, Israel's Foreign Ministry confirmed that a group of Israelis stranded in Lalibela, in northern Ethiopia, had been flown by helicopter to a secure area after three days of efforts. Israel's Foreign Ministry, the ministry and Israel's embassy in Addis Ababa coordinated the rescue with Ethiopian authorities.