Ethiopia demands Eritrea ‘immediately withdraw’ troops from its territory

In recent months, Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea of supporting rebel fighters on Ethiopian soil.Published On 8 Feb 2026Ethiopia’s ‌foreign minister has accused neighbouring Eritrea of military aggression and of supporting armed groups inside Ethiopian territory, amid growing tensions between the neighbours.The two longstanding foes had waged war against each other between 1998 and 2000, but signed a peace deal in 2018 and became allies during Ethiopia’s two-year war against regional authorities in the northern Tigray region.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3UK court clears the way for deportation of Eritrean asylum seekerlist 2 of 3Trump strips legal protections from Ethiopian refugees in latest crackdownlist 3 of 3Truck crash in Ethiopia kills 22 people, dozens hurtend of listBut Eritrea was not a party to the 2022 agreement that ended the Tigray conflict, and relations between the two nations have plunged into acrimony since then.In recent months, Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea of supporting rebel fighters on Ethiopian soil – allegations Asmara denies.In a letter dated Saturday, February 7, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos told his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh Mohammed that Eritrean forces had occupied Ethiopian territory along parts of their shared border for an extended period.He also accused Eritrea of providing material support to armed groups operating inside Ethiopia.“The incursion[s] of Eritrean troops further into Ethiopian territory … are not just provocations but acts of outright aggression,” his letter said.Timothewos demanded that Asmara “withdraw its troops from Ethiopian territory and cease all forms of collaboration with rebel groups”.He also said that Ethiopia remained open to dialogue if Eritrea respected its territorial integrity. He said Addis Ababa was willing to engage in good-faith negotiations on all matters of mutual interest, including maritime affairs and access to the Red Sea through the Eritrean port of Assab.