TIA, TPLF Deny Reports Of Afar Skirmish As Fears Of Renewed Conflict Hit Fever Pitch

Friday statement alleges drone strikes on security forces

The Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have issued statements denying reports that regional security forces carried out an attack in neighboring Afar on the evening of Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

On Thursday, the Afar Region Communication Bureau issued a statement alleging that fighters “crossed into the Afar Region through border areas in Zone Two, Megale Woreda, particularly in Tonsaa Kebele, as well as the Wara’a and Milki localities,” firing heavy weapons at innocent pastoralists.

‎”While opening fire in Tonsa kebele, despite appeals from peace-loving Afar elders urging them to withdraw, the TPLF forces responded with defiance, saying ‘We will not turn back,’ and escalated the confrontation,” reads the statement from the regional administration.

On Friday, the TIA issued its own statement denying the attack ever happened.

“This accusation is entirely baseless,” reads the statement. “There has been no violation of the Afar-Tigray border, from either side.”

The interim administration, led by Lt. General Tadesse Werede, alleges “repeated provocations and attacks against Tigray, including deliberate efforts to create and arm groups in Afar with the intention of instigating conflict and destruction on the peoples of Tigray and Afar.”

The statement accuses armed groups operating under the banner of ‘Hara Meret’ of conducting attacks in the area and working to block off transport routes.

Later on Friday, the TPLF issued a statement denying involvement in the attack and accusing the federal government of “using the armed fighters of Hara Meret in a bid to provoke another war.”

The organization, which was struck off the list of registered political parties by the National Election Board of Ethiopia several months ago, further alleges that drone strikes were conducted in Tigray on Thursday night.

The TPLF alleges members of Tigray’s security forces and ordinary citizens were harmed, but failed to provide any figures or evidence to back its claims.

Still, it argues the alleged drone strikes nullify the Pretoria peace agreement, which ended the brutal two-year war in November 2022.

Both the TIA and TPLF blamed the federal government for the lack of progress in implementing the terms of the peace deal, which include the return of displaced persons.

The developments come as Ethiopia commemorates the third anniversary of the peace agreement, stoking fears that another round of war could break out in the uneasy north.