Origins and Outbreak of the Tigray War

The war in Ethiopia's Tigray region erupted due to longstanding political tensions, particularly relating to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government's authority. The Ethiopian government's narrative claimed that Tigrayan forces initiated hostilities by launching attacks on federal military outposts, framing their response as a necessary counterinsurgency. However, analysis from scholars suggests that this perspective oversimplifies the situation, highlighting evidence of a coordinated military strategy involving Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia that was likely devised well in advance of the conflict. Significant public proclamations in media leading up to the war indicate a premeditated campaign against Tigray, challenging the government's explanation of a spontaneous uprising.