Tensions are escalating in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia as significant military forces mobilize along its borders. Reports indicate that both the Ethiopian federal army and Tigray forces are gathering troops, prompting fears that the fragile peace arrangement known as the Pretoria Agreement, which concluded one of the most brutal wars of the 21st century, could collapse. A diplomatic source revealed that the Ethiopian National Defense Forces are surrounding Tigray, while local reports confirm large deployments from both sides approaching the border.

The situation is alarming not just due to the military presence but also because it signals a possible resurgence of hostilities after a brief period of relative peace following the end of the civil conflict between 2020 and 2022. The resurgence of armed confrontations, notably reported in January when clashes occurred between federal troops supported by local militias and Eritrean forces and Tigray combatants, raises significant concerns. Local sources from Tigray have warned that the increasing risk of war could escalate further without international pressure to facilitate dialogue and resolve tensions peacefully.

With the failure to fully implement the peace agreement that ended the bloody civil war, the mounting military buildup on both sides further complicates the prospects for stability in the region. Stakeholders fear that if the international community does not step in to mediate the growing disputes, the humanitarian crises stemming from renewed warfare could worsen significantly, potentially drawing in wider regional implications once more.