Ethiopian army pledges restraint as fighting raises civil-war fears

Ethiopia’s army chief has promised restraint as fighting in the north raises fears of a return to civil war. Field Marshal Berhanu Jula said the military was responding with “wisdom and restraint” to what he called provocations from the Tigray front. He accused Eritrea of funding and supporting armed groups, while Eritrea denied the allegation.

The fighting has spread from Tigray into neighbouring Afar and Amhara after seven armed groups announced an alliance committed to removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. Battles have been reported around Abala in Afar and in North Wollo, which borders Tigray. The federal army said it had killed 272 Tigrayan fighters and wounded 260 in a counter-offensive.

The Tigray Army said the government had launched a full-scale offensive involving infantry, mechanised units and drones. Internet access was reportedly cut across northern Ethiopia. The United Nations has expressed alarm over reports that drones were being used against civilians.

The renewed conflict is placing the 2022 Pretoria Agreement under severe strain. That accord ended a two-year war in Tigray, but the sides have continued to dispute its implementation. Analyst Alemayehu Weldemariam told Al Jazeera that the federal government bore much of the blame for the agreement’s collapse, citing restrictions and the failure to establish a promised interim administration.

The escalation could draw in armed groups from across Ethiopia and widen regional tensions.