As renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia spreads beyond the Tigray region, two Gulf states have moved to back the federal government in Addis Ababa. Qatar's Foreign Ministry condemned what it called a military escalation against Ethiopia's federal forces, while the United Arab Emirates expressed solidarity with the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The statements came after the most serious outbreak of hostilities since the 2020–2022 war, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Tigrayan forces seized airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire last week, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to the region. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) says it is acting defensively after federal attacks using drones, artillery and ground troops; the federal government accuses the group of launching a planned offensive.
Gulf reactions and regional dynamics
Qatar's Foreign Ministry said the fighting threatened Ethiopia's unity and sovereignty and the stability of the wider Horn of Africa. It called for an immediate end to hostilities, protection of civilians, and respect for the Pretoria Peace Agreement signed between Tigray and Ethiopia. The Qatari statement did not name the TPLF or its armed allies, but expressed full support for efforts to reduce tensions through dialogue.
The UAE took a more explicit stance. Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan condemned attacks by the TPLF and its allies on federal forces, as well as the seizure of airports in Tigray and the spread of fighting into neighbouring Afar and Amhara. He said his country stood in full solidarity with the government and people of Ethiopia and rejected attempts to change the constitutional order by force.
The Gulf backing is notable given the region's growing engagement in the Horn of Africa. The UAE has invested in ports and military facilities along the Red Sea, while Qatar has sought to mediate in regional disputes. Their support for Addis Ababa may reflect a desire for stability in a country that anchors the region.
Fighting spreads and humanitarian toll rises
Tigrayan forces captured Erebti in Afar over the weekend. On Monday, pro-government forces said they had taken control of Alamata, a key supply town about 120 kilometres south of Mekelle. A drone strike hit the headquarters of Tigrai TV in Mekelle on Sunday; journalists had left the building after an earlier explosion, and no casualties were reported. The federal government did not comment on the strike.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières reported that hospitals in Korem and Alamata treated more than 420 wounded between 22 and 25 September, while over 300 wounded arrived at Suhul Hospital last week. The Afar Pastoralist Development Association estimates that around 150,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was gravely concerned by the seizure of the three airports and the spread of hostilities beyond Tigray. He urged all sides to stop fighting, protect civilians, allow aid groups to reach those in need, and return to talks under the peace agreement.
Accusations fly between Ethiopia and its neighbours
Ethiopia's army chief, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed groups fighting the government, without providing evidence. Sudan's army rejected the allegation and accused Ethiopia of allowing its territory to be used to support Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Egypt's Foreign Ministry dismissed suggestions of interference as baseless, with spokesperson Nader Zaki saying Cairo respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states. Eritrea also denied supporting Ethiopian armed groups and accused Addis Ababa of trying to shift blame.
The widening conflict has implications beyond Ethiopia's borders. The Horn of Africa is a crucial transit route for global trade, and instability there can affect energy prices and migration flows. For European policymakers, the crisis underscores the need for diplomatic engagement, as highlighted in Europe's next budget should invest in stability beyond its borders. The Gulf states' backing for Addis Ababa may also complicate efforts to mediate, as they have their own strategic interests in the region.
As the fighting continues, the humanitarian situation is likely to worsen. Aid agencies are struggling to reach the displaced, and the suspension of flights to Tigray has cut off a vital lifeline. The international community, including the European Union, has called for restraint, but so far the parties have shown little willingness to return to the negotiating table.
