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Mounting apprehensions are present regarding the possibility of military engagement involving Horn of Africa countries, Ethiopia and Eritrea, as aggressive language has intensified in the last month.

What Did Ethiopia Declared?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, demands for entry to the maritime outlet through Eritrea has provoked a fierce verbal exchange.

Ethiopian Prime Minister previously announced in 2023 that his government's access to the sea was an vital issue, remarks that Eritrea ignored.

Ties between the two countries have regularly been difficult. After a decades-long fight for sovereignty, Eritrea, which has a extensive maritime frontage, officially seceded from Ethiopian rule in the early 1990s, leaving it landlocked.

Five years later, a territorial conflict started in which more than 100,000 people were killed.

Recent Remarks from Ethiopian Officials

Abiy and army chief the army commander have publicly asserted ownership of Eritrea's southern port of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the border - and suggested the intention to take it by force.

Recently, the Prime Minister said Ethiopia's "mistake" of being denied passage to the sea as a because of Eritrea secession would be "addressed tomorrow".

The Ethiopian envoy to Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "belonging to Ethiopia" and would be restored "using武力".

Eritrea's Response to the Threats

In the face of continuous challenges from Ethiopian officials, Eritrea's reaction has been limited to short statements on social media from Information Minister the minister.

He has rejected Ethiopia's push for access to the Red Sea labeling it "dangerous" and a "harmful plan" of "territorial claims" – a strategy of retaking former lands.

Government spokespeople warned on mid-September that attempts to legitimise "blatant hostility" would have major implications for Ethiopia and its neighbors and is a "limit that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Military Movements on the Ground

There have been no reports of significant troop deployments in the boundary zones between the neighboring states.

Nevertheless, in the country, national TV has shown completion events of thousands of cadets at different defense facilities.

The director of human resources department of the armed forces, Lt Gen Hachalu Sheleme, recently said in an discussion that the military was in a "reliable position" as "tens of thousands of young people" were enlisting, which he said was "a message to our enemies".

Historical Origins of the Tension

For decades from the late 19th century, Eritrea was governed by Italian rulers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then administered by the UK forces before evolving into a federated part of the Ethiopian empire.

Yet in the early 1960s the ruler ended this arrangement and the region became fully incorporated into Ethiopia.

A extended internal conflict ensued, concluding with the government's loss in the early 1990s. Autonomy was then approved by Eritreans in a referendum in 1993.

Briefly in the 1990s, there were good relations between the leadership in Ethiopia's capital and Asmara, but they disagreed over the precise positioning of their common border, leading to conflict in 1998.

Although this finished in a ceasefire agreement in 2000, it was partially applied, and the neighbors remained at odds.

This ended in 2018, when the Prime Minister made approaches to Eritrea's leader President Isaias. The two signed a declaration that the conflict was finished – a action that earned the Prime Minister the international recognition.

The both administrations were then allies in Ethiopia's 2020-2022 armed struggle in the northern region.

However diplomatic connections have later worsened anew.