War Clouds Over the Horn: Ethiopia Demands Immediate Withdrawal of Eritrean Forces Amid "Rebel Collaboration" Claims

Tensions in the Horn of Africa reached a boiling point on Sunday as Ethiopia issued a formal ultimatum to Eritrea, demanding the "immediate withdrawal" of its troops from Ethiopian soil. Foreign Minister Gedeon Timotheos accused Asmara of choosing the "path of escalation" by conducting joint military maneuvers with rebel groups fighting the federal government, marking a dramatic collapse in relations between the former allies.

The friction stems from Ethiopia's recent push for Red Sea access and its controversial deal with Somaliland, which has alienated Eritrea and pushed it toward a new regional axis. Ethiopia’s demand serves as a stark warning that it will no longer tolerate Eritrean military presence within its borders, signaling a potential return to the frozen conflict that defined their relationship for decades. The international community now fears that any miscalculation could ignite a massive conventional war.