Ethiopia Faces Renewed Civil War Fears as Tigray Rebels Launch Offensive

Ethiopia is on the brink of renewed civil war as Tigrayan rebels launch an offensive into neighboring Afar and Amhara regions. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has also formed a new rebel coalition with the stated aim of overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. This escalation follows a devastating conflict between 2020 and 2022 that claimed an estimated 600,000 lives, with both sides now accusing each other of initiating the latest round of hostilities.

The international community is expressing concern, with the UK condemning the attacks. The Ethiopian army has stated it has repelled some attacks and inflicted casualties, but fears of a full-blown resumption of the civil war are growing. Amidst this instability, Ethiopia, along with Djibouti, is also planning a significant infrastructure project: a $660 million fuel pipeline aimed at strengthening energy security for landlocked Ethiopia and boosting jobs in Djibouti's port.