🔗 Share this article Intensifying War of Words Between Ethiopia and Eritrean Government Triggers Fears of Conflict Growing concerns are present over the chance of military engagement involving Horn of Africa neighbors, the Ethiopian government and the Eritrean government, as aggressive rhetoric has ratcheted up in recent weeks. The Ethiopian government and The Eritrean government were allies in the internal conflict in Tigray but they have subsequently disagreed. What Has Ethiopian Officials Declared? Ethiopia's, being landlocked, demands for entry to the Red Sea through Eritrea has sparked a intense war of words. The Ethiopian leader previously announced in the previous year that his country's sea access was an existential matter, comments that Eritrea rejected. Ties between the neighboring nations have often been tense. After a decades-long struggle for freedom, the Eritrean state, which has a extensive maritime frontage, formally separated from Ethiopian rule in 1993, rendering it without sea access. In 1998, a military clash started in which more than 100,000 people were killed. Current Statements from Ethiopian Government Abiy and army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have openly claimed ownership of Eritrea's southern port of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the boundary - and suggested the intention to capture it through military means. On 1 September, the Prime Minister said Ethiopia's "error" of losing entry to the sea as a because of Eritrea's separation would be "corrected soon". The Ethiopian envoy to neighboring Kenya, ex-military officer Bacha, said that Assab was "belonging to Ethiopia" and would be given back "through military action". Eritrea's Response to the Claims Despite continuous challenges from Ethiopian officials, Asmara's position has been limited to short statements on X from Communications Head Yemane Gebremeskel. Officials have denied Ethiopian requests for maritime entry labeling it "dangerous" and a "toxic agenda" of "expansionism" – a strategy of claiming back former lands. Eritrean authorities warned on 16 September that moves to justify "blatant hostility" would have major implications for Ethiopia and its regional partners and is a "redline that should not be crossed|violated|breached". Security Movements on the Ground Currently, there are no reports of large-scale army activities in the border areas between the both nations. Nonetheless, in Ethiopia, national TV has displayed training completions of many recruits at different defense facilities. The head of staff section of the defense force, Lt Gen Hachalu Sheleme, commented lately in an interview that the military was in a "strong stance" as "numerous of recruits" were entering service, which he said was "a signal to our opponents". Past Origins of the Dispute For more than half a century from 1890, the territory was ruled by Italian rulers. After Italy's defeat, it was then managed by the UK forces before turning into a associated territory of Ethiopia. But in 1962 the Ethiopian emperor cancelled this system and Eritrea became totally absorbed into Ethiopia. A three-decade long internal conflict ensued, ending with the government's loss in the early 1990s. Sovereignty was then endorsed by voters in a vote in 1993. Briefly in the 1990s, there were good relations between the authorities in Ethiopia's capital and Asmara, but they clashed over the exact location of their shared boundary, resulting in war in 1998. Although this concluded in a truce in 2000, it was partially applied, and the two nations continued at in dispute. This changed in 2018, when the Prime Minister made approaches to Eritrea's leader Isaias Afwerki. The both leaders signed a statement that the conflict was concluded – a action that earned the Prime Minister the prestigious award. The two governments were then partners in the country's recent armed struggle in the northern region. However diplomatic connections have later worsened anew.