Tigray rebels on Tuesday claimed to have killed more than 1,500 Ethiopian soldiers in two days of fighting in the country’s northern Tigray region.
The claim came as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed warned neighboring Eritrea of severe consequences for allegedly supporting armed groups fighting his government.
Negash Hiluf, an official of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), said rebel fighters killed 1,511 federal soldiers and wounded 1,050 others during clashes on Oct. 17 and 18.
“Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) intercepted Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) troops near Mirena … inflicting 1,511 fatalities and wounding 1,050 others,” Hiluf said.
His remarks came in a video briefing carried by the pro-opposition Tigray Media Corporation.
Ethiopia has not yet commented on Tigray’s claim.
The TPLF said the clashes occurred around Mirena in central Tigray as government troops attempted to advance toward the town of Adet.
The group also claimed to have killed 11 members of the Tigray Peace Force, an armed faction aligned with the federal government.
The casualty figures could not be independently verified. Neither the Ethiopian government nor the military has publicly responded to the rebel group’s claims.
Meanwhile, Abiy accused Eritrea of supporting Tigray forces seeking to destabilize Ethiopia and warned its government against ignoring calls for cooperation.
“I believe that opting to be a host of enemies instead of partner in development is not beneficial. However, the consequence of giving a deaf ear to our calls will be very, very, very severe,” Abiy said.
He made the remarks in an interview broadcast by the state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation.
Abiy said cooperation between the neighboring countries offered a better future than military confrontation and urged Eritrean authorities to prioritize economic development and peaceful relations.
Ethiopia has repeatedly accused Eritrean forces of crossing its northern border and assisting the TPLF, allegations rejected by Asmara.
Eritrea, meanwhile, has accused Ethiopia of seeking to seize its Red Sea port of Assab, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
The latest rebel claims followed reports of Ethiopian military withdrawals from Adwa and Rama, near the Eritrean border, after attacks by TPLF rebels.
Federal troops had earlier captured Mekelle, Tigray’s regional capital, and several other towns during an offensive following the resumption of major hostilities on Sept. 23.
Addis Ababa has since announced a six-month caretaker administration for Tigray as it seeks to consolidate federal control and restore public services.
The TPLF is also part of the Alliance for Survival, a coalition of seven armed and political groups formed in September to challenge Abiy’s government.