Eritrea Reportedly Opens Its Port for Forces in Tigray on “humanitarian Grounds”

Toronto – Social media sources with apparent connection with the Eritrean government are reporting their government is opening port access to “Tigray.”  The decision is depicted as “A Humanitarian Stand Against Weaponized Suffering [of Tigray].”  Eritrea’s Ministry of Information, however, did not make any announcements regarding the port offer to “Tigray.” 

The situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has been tense for many months, many fearing a potential outbreak of a war that could have far more repercussions in the region.  Tense relations between two TPLF factions was cited as the potential triggering point. 

One of the factions, which is under Debretsion Gebremichael, was allegedly plotting with the Eritrean government against Ethiopia. However, both have been denying the allegations.  The other faction was under Getachew Reda, who was in charge of the Interim Administration in the region but was ousted by what many called “creeping coup” just weeks before the end of his term. The Ethiopian PM last month appointed Tadesse Worede as Interim President of the region for the next one year after he was called to Addis Ababa to sign a covenant before taking office. One of the missions he was given was to control what Abiy Ahmed’s administration called “illegal foreign relations.” 

If what Eritrean activists with links to the government in Eritrea is true, the port access on “Humanitarian” grounds is likely to be offered to Debretsion’s faction which has reportedly been preparing for war for many months now. This week, a rumor has been circulating on social media that the TPLF has managed to get weapons delivery (including drones) through the Eritrean ports. However, Borkena has been unable to verify it from other sources. 

Swiss based Eritrean activist who is very active on X wrote ” Eritrea has announced it is opening its ports for humanitarian access to the people of Tigray. This is not politics — it’s principle. As Abiy Ahmed’s regime continues to weaponize food, medicine, and education against civilians in Tigray, Amhara, and beyond, Eritrea is stepping up where Addis is deliberately stepping back.” 

“Eritrea knows the cost of war. That’s why it’s choosing humanity,” he added.  

The TPLF under Derbetsion Gebremicael has been accusing Eritrean government of “illegal occupation of land in Tigray” and “genocide” during the two years war between the TPLF led Tigray regional government and Abiy Ahmed’s Administration. Eritrea fought the war on the side of Abiy Ahmed’s government after the TPLF forces reportedly fired rockets targeting Eritrean locations weeks after the outbreak of the war in November 2020. Currently, the relation between Eritrea and Abiy Ahmed’s government is tense with many speculating that it could lead to war.