The European Union has urged for an "immediate de-escalation" in Ethiopia, expressing serious concern over the worsening conflict in the country's northern regions. Anouar El Anouni, a spokesperson for the EU's diplomatic service, emphasized the importance of upholding international humanitarian law, stating that it is "imperative and non-negotiable." This call comes as fighting has intensified in northern Ethiopia, where tensions have risen again between the federal government, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), a political group that previously governed the Tigray region and still exerts influence there. A peace agreement signed in Pretoria in 2022 had ended a brutal two-year conflict between the federal government and the TPLF. However, recent months have seen a resurgence of hostilities, with the TPLF reportedly no longer allowed to operate within Ethiopia since 2025. The federal government in Addis Ababa accuses the TPLF of illegally controlling Tigray. Both sides have been mobilizing troops along the regional border, and battles have already erupted in early 2026. Ethiopian military drones have also been used to target Tigrayan forces ten times since early August, signaling a return to open warfare. On Sunday, seven groups opposed to the federal government—ranging from the TPLF to the Amhara Fano militias and the Oromo Liberation Army—announced they had formed an alliance with the goal of "overthrowing" the government in Addis Ababa. This development has raised fears of a broader conflict across Ethiopia, as these groups represent various ethnic and regional interests. The move suggests a coordinated effort to challenge the central government's authority, which has been a source of tension for years. In recent days, Tigrayan rebel forces have taken control of airports in their regional state and are now engaging in combat with the Ethiopian federal army in the neighboring Afar region. These developments mark a significant escalation in the conflict, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. The EU and other international actors are closely watching the situation, hoping to prevent further violence and humanitarian crises in the region.