Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has vowed that government forces will take measures to contain a renewed rebel offensive in the Tigray region, as concerns grow that the latest fighting could trigger a wider regional conflict.
Speaking to lawmakers, Abiy said Ethiopia’s military would maintain air superiority and remain prepared to respond to threats.
“In our region, we will have air superiority. Our defence will be modern, innovative and at all times ready and alert for combat. Our army will take preemptive and reactive action,” he said.
The Prime Minister also called on armed groups to abandon the fighting and pursue political dialogue and reconciliation.
“All those people fighting in the bushes: I kindly ask you to choose the path of peace. I ask you to take part in the nation-building, national reconciliation process,” Abiy said.
He urged opposition groups to pursue their political objectives through peaceful means, saying lessons should be drawn from Ethiopia’s past conflicts.
The renewed violence comes as Ethiopia continues to pursue greater access to the Red Sea, an issue that has heightened tensions with neighbouring countries and raised concerns about the wider regional implications of the conflict.
On Monday, a drone strike in Tigray reportedly killed several people at a displacement camp, according to local reports, further raising concerns over the humanitarian consequences of the fighting.
The latest clashes began on September 23 between federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), reviving fears of a return to the devastating 2020–2022 Tigray war.
That conflict caused extensive loss of life and displacement before a peace agreement was reached in 2022.
Abiy’s latest comments come as the government faces pressure to prevent the renewed fighting from escalating while maintaining control over areas affected by the rebel offensive.
The Prime Minister urged those involved in the conflict to abandon armed confrontation and participate in national reconciliation efforts, warning against a return to the cycle of violence that previously devastated the region.
