Fighting escalates after Tigrayan rebels form new coalition aimed at overthrowing Abiy Ahmed government

There are growing fears of a return to civil war in Ethiopia after an offensive by fighters from Tigray into the neighbouring states of Afar and Amhara and the formation of a new rebel alliance aimed at overthrowing the government of the prime minister, Abiy Ahmed.

About 600,000 people died between 2020 and 2022 during a devastating war between the Ethiopian army and the political party and paramilitary group Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Both sides are now accusing the other of triggering a return to open conflict.