Ethiopia's Federal Army and Tigray Rebels Clash Near Sudan Border

On 1 August 2026 heavy fighting erupted near the Sudanese border in western Tigray, around the town of Shererina. Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) exchanged artillery fire, with TPLF official Amanuel Assefa confirming the battles. The Ethiopian military spokesperson declined to comment, and Addis Ababa has not verified the reports.

The clash marks the most intense confrontation since the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement, reviving fears of a broader regional war. Analysts note the fighting could signal a new offensive or a show of force, while tensions between the federal government and Tigray authorities have escalated in recent months.