Ethiopia: UN Warns of Escalating Tigray Conflict & Humanitarian Crisis

Clashes between the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) and the regional Tigray Security Forces (TSF) have intensified near the Amhara border, prompting warnings from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, about a potential further deterioration of the humanitarian and human rights situation in the region.

The renewed fighting, which escalated on January 26th, follows the withdrawal of the TSF from the Tselemti area on February 1st, according to the UN human rights office (Council of Science Editors). Türk reported the use of “drones, artillery and other powerful weapons” by both sides, and expressed concern over reports of arrests targeting individuals perceived to be affiliated with opposing forces. “This must stop,” he stated.

The current escalation occurs against the backdrop of a devastating conflict in Tigray between 2020 and 2022, pitting Ethiopian government troops against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). That conflict, which reportedly involved Eritrean soldiers, resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and displaced over two million civilians, one million of whom remain internally displaced today. The scale of the human cost remains difficult to fully ascertain.

Simultaneously, clashes continue between the TSF and a rival faction known as the “Tigray Peace Forces” in the south and southeast of Tigray, near the Afar border. Türk urged all parties to “step back from the brink and work to resolve their differences through political means,” emphasizing the need for independent investigations into alleged abuses.

Ravina Shamdasani, the High Commissioner’s spokesperson, warned journalists in Geneva that novel clashes could erupt “at any point,” with potentially dire consequences for civilians. She reiterated Türk’s call for all parties to recommit to the Pretoria Agreement, signed in 2022, which aimed to complete hostilities and facilitate the return of internally displaced people. Shamdasani acknowledged that the implementation of the agreement has been uneven.

Adding to the regional instability, tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea are rising, fueled by disagreements over the situation in Tigray. Reports indicate a potential presence of Eritrean troops, raising concerns about a wider conflict. Shamdasani emphasized the need for political dialogue to resolve these disagreements, warning against a return to the full-blown conflict seen in 2020 and 2021. “We cannot afford a return to that,” she said, referencing the immense loss of life during that period.

The situation highlights the fragility of peace in the Horn of Africa and the complex interplay of regional conflicts. The UN’s call for de-escalation and a return to political negotiations remains unanswered as of Tuesday, February 10, 2026, with both Ethiopian and Tigrayan forces maintaining a heightened state of alert.