Are Ethiopia and Eritrea About To Go To War?
Simon Whistler • October 18, 2026
Members only
Note: this transcript was generated by AI and may contain errors or inconsistencies.
For the past three weeks, the Ethiopian government has been fighting the Ethiopian People's Forces Alliance for Survival, a coalition of seven armed groups, which includes, among others, the Tigray People's Liberation Front. Now, unless you follow African news real closely, you might not have even been aware of that.
And you definitely won't have been aware of the most unexpected part: Addis Ababa has been winning.
And not just winning, but dominating the battlefield. When we last covered the crisis, the Ethiopian government had captured vast swaths of territory in the Tigray region, including the regional capital of Mekelle, which they took without much of a fight. This was a massive blow for the TPLF.
YouTube channel memberships do not include fronts.co. Membership help
Insider accessWatch with Fronts Insider
Fronts Insiders get every video, the complete archive, and private sponsor-free playback.
From $5/month · Cancel anytime
Already a member? Log in · Fix an access problem
Insiders Receive
- Every WarFronts, HomeFronts, and Insider video
- Complete sponsor-free video archive
- Support independent conflict journalism
About this briefing
Ethiopian forces have crushed the TPLF in weeks and pushed toward the Eritrean border, where Asmara has sent thousands of troops. Both sides are massing for a fight neither can afford to lose.