Ethiopia's federal army says it has captured a strategically important town in the northern Tigray region, as fighting intensifies with forces loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front. The claim follows weeks of rising tension and reports that neighboring Sudan and Eritrea are backing anti-government fighters. Ethiopia's federal military announced on Monday that its forces had taken control of a strategically significant town in the northern Tigray region, marking an escalation in months of rising friction with fighters aligned with the Tigray People's Liberation Front. Officials described the advance as part of a broader push to secure territory along the region's contested boundary. The claim comes after weeks of mounting alarm over a possible return to large-scale war in the north, following the 2022 peace deal that had formally ended two years of devastating conflict.

Communications disruptions and troop movements have been reported across Tigray and the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions in recent days, unsettling residents who feared the truce was unraveling. Addis Ababa has separately accused Sudan and Eritrea of arming and supporting Tigrayan fighters, allegations both governments have denied. Regional analysts warn that renewed fighting could draw in neighboring states and further destabilize the wider Horn of Africa, an area already strained by conflicts in Sudan and political tension across the region. Read next UK Judge Sets £100,000 Bail for Rwanda Genocide Suspect A UK judge has set a £100,000 bail condition for a man identified only as Brown, who is accused of killing, directing or encouraging the deaths of ethnic Tutsis during Rwanda's 1994 genocide. Brown, arrested in Britain, denies all wrongdoing and is contesting the case through the UK courts.

Seven Ethiopian rebel groups announce new alliance against Abiy Ahmed's government Seven armed rebel groups from across Ethiopia have announced a new alliance against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's federal government, deepening the country's security crisis. The coalition emerges as fighting continues in the north, including in Tigray, raising fears of a broader escalation. Analysts say the alliance could complicate Addis Ababa's efforts to contain multiple regional conflicts simultaneously. Nigerian police recover remains of at least 28 suspected kidnap victims Nigerian police have recovered the remains of at least 28 people believed to be victims of kidnapping gangs operating in forested areas of the country. Investigators are working to identify the bodies as the security crackdown on armed groups continues. The discovery underscores the scale of Nigeria's long-running kidnapping crisis.

ICC Convicts Former Seleka Commander of Crimes Against Humanity in CAR The International Criminal Court convicted former Seleka rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of crimes against humanity on Sunday for torturing and abusing prisoners in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. The abuses took place more than a decade ago during CAR's civil conflict. Sentencing proceedings are expected to follow in a separate ICC hearing. Ethiopia Accuses Eritrea, Sudan of Backing Tigray Rebels as Clashes Escalate Ethiopia's army chief accused Eritrea and Sudan on Sunday of backing armed groups fighting federal troops in the Tigray region, as clashes with Tigrayan rebels intensified. The Tigray People's Liberation Front said it was waging a «defensive war» and captured the Afar town of Erebti. A humanitarian source confirmed the rebel advance amid fears of a wider regional conflict.