The political landscape in northern Ethiopia has undergone significant realignment as the federal government shifts from cooperation to confrontation with former allies. Between 2020 and 2022, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front fought a conflict against Ethiopia’s federal government, which was supported by Eritrea and Amhara militias called Fano. However, less than four years later, these relationships have dramatically transformed.
In March 2025, the Tigray Defence Forces led by Debretsion Gebremichael captured several strategic locations in the Tigray region, including parts of the Sehartie district and the city of Adigrat. According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Eritrea continues to occupy portions of the Irob and Shiraro districts despite a peace agreement requiring foreign forces to withdraw from Ethiopian territory.
In October 2025, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the United Nations alleging that the TPLF and Eritrea were collaborating to finance and direct Fano forces operating in the North Wollo area. The letter claimed this coordination had become increasingly evident in recent months and suggested preparations for renewed conflict. Ethiopia also alleged that TPLF leaders and fighters directly participated in a Fano operation targeting the city of Weldiya in September.
Debretsion dismissed these accusations as fabricated claims designed to distract from the federal government’s failure to implement the peace agreement and accused authorities of training new militias to destabilize Tigray. Fano, an irregular militia network without centralized leadership that emerged during 2016 protests, has shifted from supporting the federal government to pursuing its own agenda, increasingly directing operations against government forces.
The tensions extend beyond internal Ethiopian conflicts. International observers note that regional powers have taken opposing sides, with the federal government aligned with supporters of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, while Eritrea has established ties with the Sudanese army and Egypt. Earlier this week, fighting resumed in western Tigray, with both the federal government and the TPLF accusing each other of initiating the clashes.
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