Israel Weighs Evacuation Options Amid Ethiopia Conflict Escalation

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is exploring options for evacuating Israeli citizens from Ethiopia due to a significant escalation of conflict in the northern part of the country. Tigrayan forces have launched a broad offensive, raising fears of a renewed civil war and posing the most serious threat to the 2022 ceasefire agreement.

The ministry, along with the Israeli Embassy in Addis Ababa, is closely monitoring the developments and undertaking "feverish efforts" to extract Israelis caught in the combat zones. A statement from the Foreign Ministry indicated that the "Israelis Abroad Department, the Situation Room, and the Embassy in Addis Ababa are leading feverish efforts, closely monitoring the situation of Israelis in areas of security escalation in northern Ethiopia and are in contact with relevant groups and factors. We are continuously examining exit options from the area in cooperation with local factors and in accordance with developments and security conditions on the ground. The Foreign Ministry is and will continue to act and assist Israelis in the area as much as possible, prioritizing their safety and security."

The current escalation stems from ongoing tensions since the 2018 change in government. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's rise initially brought hope for reforms, but his attempts to centralize power led to a bloody civil war in 2020 against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The federal government was aided by Amhara militias, notably the "Fano" militia.

Following the 2022 peace agreement, the government decided to dismantle regional militias, which turned groups like Fano from allies into adversaries. The conflict has now reached a new peak with the announcement of a new military alliance of seven armed organizations, led by the TPLF, aiming to overthrow the federal government and establish an interim administration. This alliance represents the most significant threat to the stability of the 2022 ceasefire.

In response to the escalating violence, which includes reports of dwindling food supplies and medicine shortages in cities near the border, the African Union and the European Union have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent a wider regional conflict.