The Sudanese Army Responds to Ethiopia After Being Accused of Supporting Rebel Groups Against Abiy Ahmed's Government

- The Sudanese Armed Forces announced their categorical rejection of the statements made by the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Army, in which he referred to Sudan's support for Ethiopian opposition groups currently engaged in battles against the government of Abiy Ahmed. The Sudanese army stated in a statement late Monday: "The Sudanese Armed Forces have followed the statements of the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, and the accusations against Sudan of supporting the Ethiopian opposition."

The statement continued: "The Armed Forces firmly reject these allegations and consider them baseless accusations, at a time when there is information and facts about the continued support and backing of the Al-Daqlo terrorist militia from Ethiopian territory, including training, supply, and the use of Ethiopian land for military activities (strategic and suicide drones)." The statement further emphasized that "Sudan is committed to international law and the principles of good neighborliness, and does not interfere in the internal affairs of countries, but at the same time will not allow any infringement on its sovereignty or national security."

The Sudanese army called on Ethiopia "to exercise accuracy and responsibility, and to resort to dialogue and official channels, in a manner that preserves the security and stability of both countries and the region." The resurgence of violence in Ethiopia comes in recent days after nearly two months of limited clashes.

The organization "Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project" (ACLED), a non-governmental organization, stated that the fighting between Tigray forces and federal forces began near the Ethiopian border with Sudan on August 1. Both sides also accused each other of initiating those clashes.

According to the organization, this was followed by drone strikes carried out by federal forces and movements of Tigray forces, which pushed tanks and artillery southward this month. On Wednesday, Tigray forces seized three airports that were under the control of the federal government, coinciding with the outbreak of fighting in the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions.

Ethiopian Airlines has suspended all its flights to Tigray following the takeover of the airports.