Fighting between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces has intensified near the disputed border town of Badme, with drone strikes and heavy artillery bombardments forcing civilians to flee amid fears of a wider war, according to diplomatic sources cited by local outlet Addis Standard on Saturday.
Two diplomats familiar with intelligence assessments told the Ethiopian news outlet that clashes had escalated over several days, with Ethiopian forces reportedly deploying drones and Eritrean troops using heavy artillery.
“We are aware of drone strikes, particularly from the Ethiopian side, and the use of heavy artillery from the Eritrean side, and we are monitoring the situation,” one diplomatic source said.
Another warned that the exchanges risked triggering a major military confrontation between the neighboring countries.