Clashes erupt in western Tigray, threatening Ethiopia's 2022 peace accord

Violence erupted in western Tigray on Saturday morning, with the regional government stating that federal troops advanced from near the Sudanese border and opened fire. Tigray People’s Liberation Front leader Debretsion Gebremichael was blamed by the federal side, while minister Abraham Belay accused the TPLF of starting the hostilities and urged a return to negotiations. The clash represents the most serious breach of the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement, which halted a previous civil war but failed to settle issues such as disarmament and the TPLF’s legal status.

Both parties have traded accusations of violating the deal, and the federal Prosperity Party has been accused of maintaining a blockade and drone campaign against the region. Analysts warn that without strong international mediation, the fighting could expand into a broader conflict.