Story perspectives

Ethiopian Army Says It Killed 272 TPLF Fighters

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 3:45 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ethiopia Army Kills

Ethiopia’s federal army says it killed 272 TPLF fighters and wounded 260 on 25 September 2026.
TPLF forces seized Tigray’s main airport amid escalating clashes on 23 September 2026.
TPLF announced an alliance with six other armed groups, intensifying northern Ethiopia violence.
Analyst Jervin Naidoo of Oxford Economics Africa warned the escalation could push Ethiopia toward civil war.

Summary

US Lifts Sanctions

The United States lifted sanctions on Ethiopia and Eritrea, ending the national emergency.
The U.S. Embassy said it was disappointed with the TPLF’s large-scale offensive and backed Ethiopia’s government.
President Taye Atske Selassie Amde warned at the UN that banks, telecoms, electricity and goods could be cut off.
Analysts say Eritrea may back Tigray rebels, fearing Ethiopia might seek Red Sea access.

History

Historical Context

After clashes erupted in Badme in May 1998, a war that lasted until the 2000 Algiers Agreement left both sides under UN sanctions and a 2002 boundary ruling that awarded Badme to Eritrea. The 2018 summit finally demarcated the frontier, but the TPLF’s 2024 offensive and renewed U.S. sanction relief revive the same Ethiopia-Eritrea brinkmanship.

1 of 3

Ethiopia Army Kills

Ethiopia’s federal army says it killed 272 TPLF fighters and wounded 260 on 25 September 2026.
TPLF forces seized Tigray’s main airport amid escalating clashes on 23 September 2026.
TPLF announced an alliance with six other armed groups, intensifying northern Ethiopia violence.
Analyst Jervin Naidoo of Oxford Economics Africa warned the escalation could push Ethiopia toward civil war.

1 / 3