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Growing apprehensions have emerged over the potential of warfare involving Horn of Africa neighbors, Ethiopia and the Eritrean government, as hostile language has ratcheted up in recent weeks.

What Has Ethiopia Stated?

Landlocked Ethiopia's demands for entry to the Red Sea through Eritrean territory has triggered a fierce verbal exchange.

The Ethiopian leader previously announced in 2023 that his nation's maritime access was an crucial concern, comments that Eritrea ignored.

Relations between the two countries have often been tense. After a prolonged battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a 1,350km (840-mile) Red Sea coastline, officially seceded from Ethiopia in 1993, making it without sea access.

In 1998, a military clash erupted in which more than 100,000 people lost their lives.

Current Comments from Ethiopia's Leadership

Prime Minister Abiy and army chief the army commander have directly stated control of Eritrean coastal city of Assab – some 60 km from the boundary - and hinted at the wish to capture it through military means.

On 1 September, Abiy said the country's "mistake" of losing access to the sea as a because of Eritrea's separation would be "corrected soon".

Ethiopia's ambassador to Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "Ethiopian property" and would be returned "by force".

Eritrea's Reaction to the Threats

In the face of continuous warnings from Ethiopian officials, Asmara's position has been confined to short statements on social media from Communications Head the minister.

Officials have denied Ethiopia's demand for sea access describing it as "hazardous" and a "toxic agenda" of "irredentism" – a approach of claiming back former lands.

Government spokespeople alerted on 16 September that moves to legitimise "obvious provocation" would have serious consequences for the Ethiopian government and its neighbors and is a "redline that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Security Movements on the Border

There have been little evidence of major military movements in the border areas between the two countries.

Nevertheless, in the country, state television has broadcast training completions of numerous trainees at different defense facilities.

The head of staff section of the armed forces, General Hachalu, stated recently in an conversation that the army was in a "reliable position" as "tens of thousands of recruits" were entering service, which he said was "a signal to our adversaries".

Historical Background of the Conflict

For over fifty years from 1890, Eritrea was administered by Italian colonisers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then controlled by the British military before turning into a associated territory of the Ethiopian empire.

But in 1962 the Ethiopian emperor ended this system and Eritrea became totally absorbed into Ethiopia.

A thirty-year armed struggle ensued, concluding with military reversal in 1991. Sovereignty was then endorsed by Eritreans in a referendum in 1993.

For a few years in the 1990s, there were positive ties between the governments in Ethiopia's capital and Asmara, but they disagreed over the precise positioning of their shared boundary, causing war in 1998.

Though this ended in a ceasefire agreement in 2000, it was partially applied, and the neighbors stayed at odds.

This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made gestures to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. The both leaders agreed to a statement that the hostilities was concluded – a action that won the Prime Minister the Nobel Peace Prize.

The both administrations were then cooperators in Ethiopia's previous internal conflict in the northern region.

But diplomatic connections have subsequently deteriorated anew.