Fears of renewed civil war are growing in Ethiopia after Tigrayan rebels launched an offensive into Afar and Amhara and formed a new coalition aimed at overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
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Key facts
- Tigrayan rebels have launched an offensive into the neighbouring states of Afar and Amhara.
- A new rebel coalition has formed with the aim of overthrowing the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
- Fighting between 2020 and 2022 killed about 600,000 people.
- Both sides are accusing each other of triggering a return to open conflict.
There are growing fears of a return to civil war in Ethiopia after rebels from Tigray launched an offensive into the neighbouring states of Afar and Amhara, according to the Guardian.
The escalation coincides with the formation of a new rebel coalition aimed at overthrowing the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Guardian reported.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), described as both a political party and a paramilitary group, was a central party to the earlier conflict in the country.
Fighting between the Ethiopian army and the TPLF from 2020 to 2022 killed about 600,000 people, according to the Guardian’s report.
Both sides are now accusing the other of triggering a return to open conflict, the outlet said, underscoring the fragility of the situation as tensions rise again.
The renewed offensive and the creation of a coalition explicitly seeking to unseat Abiy Ahmed mark a significant deterioration after the previous period of fighting had ended in 2022.
Why it matters
The earlier conflict in Ethiopia was one of the deadliest of recent years, with an estimated 600,000 people killed. A return to open warfare would carry enormous humanitarian consequences and threaten stability across the Horn of Africa.
Frequently asked questions
Which areas are affected by the rebel offensive?
According to the Guardian, Tigrayan rebels have launched an offensive into the neighbouring states of Afar and Amhara.
How many people died in the previous conflict?
The Guardian reports that fighting between the Ethiopian army and the TPLF from 2020 to 2022 killed about 600,000 people.
What is the new rebel coalition seeking to do?
The Guardian reports the newly formed rebel coalition aims to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Timeline
- Rebel offensive against Ethiopian army stokes fears of return to civil war
The Guardian World: Fighting escalates after Tigrayan rebels form new coalition aimed at overthrowing Abiy Ahmed government There are growing fears of a return to civil war in Ethiopia after an offensive by rebels from Tigray into the neighbouring states of Afar and Amhara, and the formation of a ne