Abraham Belay confirms clashes in Shererina as hundreds of Tigrayan civilians flee into Sudan
Minister Abraham Belay confirmed that intense fighting broke out between the Ethiopian federal army and Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels in the Shererina area over the weekend. The clashes, which involved heavy artillery and drone strikes, represent one of the most significant escalations since the 2022 peace deal. Hundreds of civilians and wounded fighters fled across the border into Sudan, seeking refuge from the explosions and sustained gunfire. While the TPLF-led regional administration accused the federal government of launching an 'open war' to subjugate the people of Tigray, the federal authorities blamed the rebels for provoking the conflict. Minister Abraham Belay warned of potential consequences if the fighting continues and called for peaceful negotiations to resolve the disputes. The fighting occurred in a strategically sensitive area that has been disputed between Tigray and Amhara regions since the civil war. The influx of refugees adds pressure to Sudan, which is currently engaged in its own civil war.