Ethiopia's Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has claimed that its fighters killed 500 soldiers and wounded 800 others in clashes with federal government’s army and allied forces in the country's northern Tigray region.
The group said the casualties occurred during fighting on Saturday near the historic city of Aksum, where its forces launched a counteroffensive against Ethiopian troops and members of the allied Tigray Peace Forces (TPF).
The figures were reported by the TPLF-affiliated Dimtsi Weyane television station. They could not be independently verified, and the Ethiopian government has not commented on the claims.
TPLF reports heavy casualties and territorial gains
According to Dimtsi Weyane, the fighting took place in the Daero Hafash and May Tmqet areas of Naeder district. The broadcaster said 500 combatants, including two regiment commanders, were killed, while another 800 were seriously wounded.
Government troops had advanced from Aksum and Mahbere Dego before encountering resistance from TPLF rebels, the report said.
The group also claimed to have captured territory and seized weapons, ammunition, food supplies and medical equipment.
It accused federal forces of using artillery and drones during the operations and said telephone and internet services had been disrupted in the area.
Renewed fighting raises fears of wider regional conflict
The latest claims follow weeks of clashes between federal forces and TPLF rebels, raising concerns that Ethiopia could face another large-scale conflict in Tigray.
Government troops and allied forces captured several towns, including the regional capital, Mekelle, in early October. TPLF fighters have since continued to launch counterattacks.
The renewed violence has also sharpened tensions between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea. Addis Ababa has accused Asmara of supporting armed groups operating in Tigray, allegations that Eritrea has rejected.
Sudan has separately accused Ethiopia of allowing 70 drone attacks to be launched from its territory between February and October, claiming the strikes killed or wounded hundreds of civilians and soldiers.
Sudanese authorities have also accused Addis Ababa of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been fighting Sudan's army since 2023.
The escalation threatens to deepen instability across a region still grappling with the consequences of the 2020-2022 Tigray war, which displaced millions of people and caused widespread humanitarian suffering.
