Ethiopian Forces Enter Aksum as Eritrea Denies Heavy Military Losses

Federal Troops Enter Historic Aksum Amid Disputed Eritrean Military Casualty Claims

October 15, 2026

By Kulu Media News Desk

Ethiopian Forces Enter Aksum, historic Stelae Park in Tigray, Ethiopia

The historic Stelae Park in Aksum, Tigray, where Ethiopian federal forces and allied TPF fighters reportedly entered on October 14, 2026. File photo. 

Ethiopian federal forces and allied Tigray Peace Force (TPF) fighters have entered the historic city of Aksum in northern Tigray, extending government-aligned territorial control as Eritrea rejects claims that its troops suffered heavy casualties during recent fighting.Shop African Art

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) documented the entry of Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and TPF fighters into Aksum in an update dated October 14, 2026.

According to the conflict monitor, TPLF-aligned Tigray fighters withdrew from the city and remained in the mountainous rural areas of Adet and Chila, near Aksum.

The development marks another significant shift in territorial control across northern Tigray following weeks of renewed fighting between Ethiopian government forces and armed groups aligned with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

On Thursday, October 15, TPF spokesperson Solomon Hailemariam claimed that Eritrean troops had suffered substantial casualties during recent military operations and were retreating toward the border.

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel rejected the allegations as false, according to Anadolu Agency.

Neither the scale of the alleged casualties nor the TPF’s account of the fighting could be independently verified.

The competing claims come amid rapidly changing military positions along the Ethiopia–Eritrea border, where both countries have accused each other of escalating hostilities.

ACLED reported that Eritrean forces previously stationed along the Zalambessa–Fatsi corridor withdrew from Tigray and crossed back into Eritrea through Zalambessa on October 12.

The withdrawal preceded further advances by Ethiopian government troops and their TPF allies, who established control over Fatsi and Zalambessa after TPLF-aligned fighters moved toward Debre Damo and Irob.

As previously covered by Kulu Media, Ethiopian forces reached the strategically important border town of Zalambessa, raising concerns about a wider confrontation between Addis Ababa and Asmara.

ACLED also documented a substantial movement of Ethiopian tanks and heavy weaponry from Adigrat toward Fatsi and Zalambessa during the night of October 12 and into October 13.

The military movements followed earlier territorial gains by federal forces and their allies across Tigray.

On October 10, federal forces entered Adigrat after TPLF-aligned fighters withdrew from the city.

Government-aligned forces subsequently entered Adwa on October 11, further expanding their presence across northern Tigray before the reported advance into Aksum.

Despite these gains, TPLF-aligned fighters continue to maintain positions in mountainous areas outside several towns, indicating that control over the wider region remains contested.

The changing military situation has unfolded alongside an increasingly serious diplomatic confrontation between Ethiopia and Eritrea.Shop African Art

Addis Ababa has accused Eritrean forces of crossing into Ethiopian territory and supporting armed groups fighting the federal government. Eritrea has rejected the accusations and accused Ethiopia of threatening its sovereignty.

The two countries, which fought a devastating border war between 1998 and 2000, were military allies during the 2020–2022 Tigray conflict before relations deteriorated.

Their latest confrontation has prompted growing international concern over the possibility of another regional war.

On October 14, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged de-escalation during discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, emphasizing diplomacy and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the Associated Press.

The renewed fighting has also placed additional pressure on the November 2022 Pretoria peace agreement, which ended the previous two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia.

Although Ethiopian government forces and their allies have expanded control over several major towns, the continued presence of TPLF-aligned fighters in surrounding areas and the unresolved confrontation with Eritrea leave the region’s security situation uncertain.

The reported Eritrean troop withdrawals and the latest advances into Aksum represent significant developments in the military landscape. However, the disputed casualty claims and continued deployment of heavy weaponry near the international border underscore the risk of further escalation.