Ethiopian army chief accuses Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of backing rebel alliance

In a video released on the Ethiopian National Defense Forces' YouTube channel, chief of staff Birhanu Jula accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of providing support to the Alliance of Ethiopian Popular Forces for Survival, a coalition of armed groups. Intense clashes persisted on September 29 between the rebels and the federal army, with the Tigrayan Defense Forces and the Ugugumo front now controlling multiple settlements in the Afar region.

Combat also continues in Amhara around Lalibela and in Wag Hemra, where the regional Fano militia fights federal troops. Federal forces, together with the Tigray Peace Force, recaptured the strategic town of Alamata in southern Tigray, securing a vital route toward the regional capital Makale. The Ethiopian authorities have also stepped up diplomatic pressure, warning of foreign backing for the insurgents. The accusations come as the conflict in northern Ethiopia escalates further.