Ethiopian forces regain control of border city after reported Eritrean incursion
Ethiopian government forces and allied militia entered Adigrat, about 30 km from the Eritrean border, on Saturday, according to three residents, days after Eritrean troops were pushed back from the city. Eritrea denies that its troops crossed into Ethiopia, while Ethiopia told the UN Security Council that Eritrean forces had advanced up to 60 km inside Tigray. Explosions were reported near Adigrat on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and the conflict monitor ACLED said Ethiopia used drone strikes against Eritrean forces, who then withdrew from positions near the city.
Why it matters: The episode bears on the briefing's regional security theme, since the unverified incursion reports and the dispute over Ethiopian sea access carry the risk of renewed interstate war along Ethiopia's northern border.