Residents in Ethiopia’s northernmost towns near the Eritrean border say they continue to live in fear as Eritrean forces maintain a presence in several areas of the Tigray region, despite a peace agreement that called for their withdrawal.
In Alitena, a small town of roughly 3,000 residents near the Eritrean frontier, locals say Eritrean soldiers remain nearby, with some neighborhoods already under what residents describe as “effective occupation.”
One resident, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, told local reporters, “The Eritrean army can raid us anytime. They’ve abducted people, enforced curfews, and even forced some into labor.” He added that reports of sexual violence and threats of conscription continue in occupied zones.
The Irob people, a small ethnic community living in the area, have been particularly affected. Positioned directly along the contested border, the Irob have historically borne the brunt of tension between the two countries and were caught in the middle of the 2020–2022 war in Tigray, during which Eritrea joined Ethiopian federal forces against Tigray’s regional leadership.
Following the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022, which officially ended hostilities between Ethiopia’s federal government and Tigray forces, foreign troops—including Eritrean forces—were expected to withdraw from Ethiopian territory. However, local and international sources, including UN reports and diplomatic missions, have confirmed that Eritrean military units remain active in several districts of northern Tigray.
Despite multiple calls for clarity, Eritrean officials deny the allegations. Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Ghebremeskel dismissed international reports as “false” and “recycled,” insisting that Eritrean troops are operating within their own borders and not in Ethiopian territory.
Meanwhile, humanitarian workers and local officials warn that the continued presence of foreign troops is hampering recovery efforts in the region. Access to aid remains limited in affected areas, and the fear of violence persists among displaced residents trying to return home.
“There is still no guarantee of safety,” said a local aid coordinator. “The situation is quiet, but the presence of Eritrean soldiers keeps communities on edge.”
With international attention drawn to conflicts elsewhere, residents like those in Alitena say the plight of border communities has been largely ignored. As one resident put it, “We feel forgotten. The war ended, but we are still living in fear.”