Overview

• In an October 2 letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos alleges Eritrea and a hardline TPLF faction have colluded under a new alliance called 'Tsimdo'.
• The letter claims the pair have funded, mobilized and directed armed groups, citing the Fano militia’s attempted push on Woldiya and additional clashes reported in Raya and Welkait.
• Addis Ababa asserts TPLF commanders and fighters joined the Woldiya operation, which it says violates the 2022 Pretoria peace accord between the federal government and the TPLF.
• The ministry says the Ethiopian National Defense Forces remain in a defensive posture and have exercised maximum restraint, but warns the policy is not indefinite.
• Eritrea's information minister and the TPLF did not respond to requests for comment, and Ethiopia reiterates that its pursuit of sea access is through peaceful means with a call for talks.