Ethiopian Army and Tigray Forces Clash in Western Tigray

Fighting broke out between the Ethiopian federal army and forces aligned with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The clashes centered on contested areas of western Tigray, specifically near Sheraro and Shererina, where both sides deployed drones and heavy artillery. The violence lasted until approximately 5:00 am on Sunday, August 2, marking a severe breach of the 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement.

Contradictory accounts emerged regarding the start of the hostilities. Tigray's regional government claimed federal forces launched a large-scale infantry offensive from the Sudanese border. Conversely, government minister Abraham Belay accused forces loyal to TPLF chairman Debretsion Gebremichael of initiating the clashes. These events followed months of deteriorating relations, during which the TPLF declared the peace agreement effectively dead and accused the ruling Prosperity Party of conducting a blockade and drone campaign.

Diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation were led by the African Union and the United States, including intervention by U.S. Ambassador Ervin Massinga. While the immediate fighting has ended, stability remains fragile due to unresolved disputes over disarmament, political control, and territorial claims in western and southern Tigray.