GNV News, 5 August 2026

On August 1, 2026, a military clash broke out in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region between Ethiopian government forces and an armed group, sending hundreds of people fleeing to neighboring Sudan. The federal government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which effectively controls the region, had only recently fought an intense two‑year war starting in 2020 that claimed 600,000 lives. There is now a risk that the situation could again escalate into full‑scale conflict.

The clash occurred in Sherelina district in western Tigray, near the Sudanese border. From early that morning until around 5 p.m., attacks using heavy artillery and drones continued. Hundreds of Ethiopians fled the fighting and sought refuge in Sudan, reportedly including wounded fighters. Some reports say the fighting continued into the following day as well.

Both the federal government and the TPLF are holding the other side responsible for the clash. A federal cabinet minister declared it the work of the “TPLF faction” and warned on social media that if the conflict drags on, it will lead to “even more serious consequences.” The TPLF, for its part, says the federal government has launched a “full‑scale war” and condemns the move as an attempt to “subjugate and divide” the people of Tigray.

The latest fighting is also taking on the character of a proxy war for the conflict in Sudan. In Sudan, clashes continue between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Ethiopian government accuses the Sudanese army of supporting TPLF “mercenaries.” The Sudanese side, working with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which backs the RSF, is pushing back, claiming that the Ethiopian government is allowing drone attacks to be launched from its own territory.

The conflict that began in 2020 reached a peace agreement in 2022 through mediation by the African Union (AU). However, the TPLF expelled the provisional administration for Tigray that had been set up as part of the peace process and regained control of the region. There are also concerns that human rights abuses have continued even after the agreement and that no fundamental resolution has been achieved.

Amnesty International, an international human rights organization, warns that if the conflict reignites, human rights violations and abuses will be repeated, and is calling on all parties and relevant institutions to take urgent action to restore human rights.

Learn more about the history of Ethiopia → “Ethiopia’s Great Reform: Can New Prime Minister Abiy Become a Savior?”

Learn more about the conflict in Sudan → “Sudan: Three Years Since the Conflict Began”

Clinic that was also targeted in attacks, Tigray (2021) (Photo: Yan Boechat/VOA / Wikimedia Commons [Public domain])