Concerns are rising about further destabilization around the Red Sea due to the confrontation between the Ethiopian government and anti-government ethnic minority forces.
In September, Tigrayan forces opposing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government seized the major city of Mekelle and airports in northern Ethiopia. The government forces retook them in October.
When an NHK team visited the central part of Mekelle on Friday and Saturday, tight security was in place, including patrols by government forces in heavily equipped vehicles.
The Ethiopian government claims that neighboring Eritrea is backing the anti-government forces. Eritrea denies the accusation and has said that it is severing diplomatic ties with Ethiopia.
The two countries have been at odds, as Abiy has shown strong willingness in recent years to secure access to a Red Sea port that he says is necessary for economic growth for the inland nation of Ethiopia.
In Yemen, the anti-government Houthi group, backed by Iran, expanded its control to areas around Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September, and the move is threatening navigation of ships. Observers say the turmoil in Ethiopia may further destabilize the situation around the Red Sea, a major route of maritime traffic.