Eritrea dismisses Ethiopia’s claims of territorial aggression, armed group support

By Sadik Kedir Abdu

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Eritrea rejected Ethiopia’s accusations that it was occupying Ethiopian territory and supporting armed groups, according to an official statement on Monday.

Ethiopian allegations reflect a recurring pattern of hostile campaigns against Eritrea in recent years, and Asmara has “no appetite” for acrimony that could further destabilize the situation, Eritrea’s Information Ministry said.

The statement also dismissed the claims as “false and fabricated.”

On Feb. 7, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry addressed a letter to Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh.

It accused Eritrean forces of being present inside Ethiopian territory for a “considerable period” and providing direct material support to militant groups operating in the country.

Addis Ababa described the recent troop movements and joint military activities with rebel groups near border areas as “acts of outright aggression.”

Ethiopia called for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from its territory and for an end to all forms of cooperation with armed groups.

It also stressed that it remained open to dialogue on broader issues of mutual interest, including maritime affairs and access to the sea.

Separately, Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel said last week that Ethiopia’s leadership had previously praised the Eritrean army but was now levelling false accusations to justify a potential conflict linked to calls for “sovereign access to the sea,” in a post on the US social media company X.

Relations between the two countries have remained strained at various points since their 1998-2000 border war, marked by intermittent accusations and persistent security concerns along the frontier.