Authorities in the Afar region of Ethiopia have launched a serious accusation against fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) , claiming they have entered the region and seized six villages.

Reported on Wednesday, this incident is considered one of the most serious since the end of the devastating conflict in northern Ethiopia.

Details of the allegations

The Afar Regional Government stated that TPLF forces had opened fire with heavy weapons in the Tonsa area of Megale district, targeting pastoral communities. The region warned that it would "defend itself against any external attack" if the aggression continued.

The TPLF has not yet responded to these allegations.

Context of the conflict

This event comes despite the 2022 Pretoria Agreement , which ended a two-year civil war (2020-2022) between the TPLF and federal troops, restoring relative calm. The conflict had been devastating.

The TPLF dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly three decades before being ousted from power in 2018.

Although the peace agreement brought a respite, it left behind deep divisions and sporadic tensions in the north of the country. Furthermore, the party has since splintered, with prominent members forming new political movements. A notable example is Getachew Reda, a former spokesperson for the TPLF, who served as interim administrator of Tigray after the peace agreement and now holds the position of Minister-Counselor for East African Affairs in the federal government.

Regional authorities say TPLF forces attacked six communities, signaling a resurgence of tensions despite the ongoing peace process.