Northern Ethiopia's new battle lines: former allies now facing the federal government

Ethiopia's federal authorities now accuse the TPLF and Eritrea of backing Amhara militia Fano, while the Tigray Defence Forces have seized key towns in the north.

Between 2020 and 2022 the TPLF fought Ethiopia’s federal forces alongside Eritrean troops and Amhara militias. Less than four years later, the federal government alleges that the same TPLF and Eritrea are now supporting the Fano militia against the state. In March 2025, Debretsion Gebremichael’s Tigray Defence Forces seized Mekele’s regional radio, the mayor’s office and towns such as parts of Sehartie district and Adigrat, while Eritrean units remain in Irob and Shiraro districts.

Ethiopia’s Ministry of one outlet wrote to the United Nations in October, accusing the TPLF and Eritrea of funding and directing Fano’s advance in North Wollo and a September attempt on Weldiya, claims the TPLF called fabricated. Eritrea’s information minister dismissed the accusations as lies, and both sides exchanged accusations of falsehoods. The International Crisis Group notes that Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is aligning with actors backing Sudan’s RSF, whereas Eritrea has moved closer to the Sudanese army and Egypt, adding a broader regional dimension to the renewed fighting in western Tigray.