Ethiopia said an "all-out invasion" by Eritrean forces had left it with no option but to defend itself, in a letter to the UN shared with Reuters on Friday, as blasts continued near the border between the two countries.
In response, Eritrea's information minister said his country had shown restraint since Ethiopia had declared a war of aggression against Eritrea by stating in 2023 it would acquire sovereign access to the sea.
The countries traded accusations after a reported incursion by Eritrean troops this week raised fears of outright war in the region, where the two nations have fought previous conflicts. The stakes have been raised this time around by conflicts in the Horn of Africa region and tensions across the Red Sea.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting a rebel alliance in Ethiopia. Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said in the letter that Eritrean forces had advanced up to 60 km (37 miles) into the country.
"The all-out invasion of parts of northern Ethiopia by Eritrea is a matter of public record,” the letter said. “It is a blatant act of aggression that engages Ethiopia’s inherent right to self-defence.”
The letter, dated Thursday, was addressed to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The senior Ethiopian government official who shared the letter said it was also sent to the other members of the UN Security Council.
AT WAR FOR THREE YEARS, SAYS ERITREA
"The Ethiopian regime has been pursuing, in effect, an unprovoked war of aggression against Eritrea for more than three years," Yemane Gebremeskel, Eritrea’s information minister, said in a statement posted on X on Friday.
Citing statements made by Ethiopian officials, Yemane accused Addis Ababa of using the current conflict to take Assab, an Eritrean port, in order to restore access to the Red Sea.
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