Hundreds flee fighting in northern Ethiopia as fears rise of return to civil war

Hundreds of civilians from the Tigray region crossed into neighbouring Sudan during violent clashes that erupted on Saturday in Shererina, a town close to the Sudanese border. The fighting, involving both ground troops and air assets, marked one of the fiercest confrontations since the 2022 peace deal ended the two‑year civil war between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government.

Both sides have made accusations: the TPLF claims the federal army launched an “open war” violating the cease‑fire, while the Ethiopian authorities blame the Tigrayan faction for initiating the hostilities. Officials have verified that clashes occurred, but detailed casualty figures remain unclear.

The region has struggled to achieve lasting peace. The 2022 deal left many provisions unfinished, and the TPLF regained control of Tigray after ousting the interim administration that had been installed as part of the settlement. The volatility has raised worries that the conflict could resume on a broader scale.

There are also concerns that Sudan’s own civil war may inflame the situation, with factions aligned to either side of the Tigrayan conflict offering support. The Sampler area of western Tigray has long been contested between the Tigrayan forces and the southern Amhara region, an enduring source of friction.

The left‑shifting line between federal powers and regional autonomy remains a key source of tension, and the recent clashes have underscored the fragile nature of the peace. While the Ethiopian minister Abraham Belay urged dialogue, he cautioned that continued hostilities could have “worse consequences.”

As refugees crossed into Sudan, medical reports and eyewitness accounts described explosive violence, with heavy artillery and drones recorded over the weekend. The federal army has yet to release an official statement, but the situation demonstrates the immediacy of a humanitarian crisis in the border region.