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Increasing concerns have emerged about the chance of military engagement between Horn of Africa countries, Ethiopia and Eritrea, as aggressive rhetoric has intensified in the past few weeks.

What Has Ethiopian Officials Declared?

Landlocked Ethiopia's requests for passage to the maritime outlet through Eritrean territory has provoked a fierce verbal exchange.

Ethiopian Prime Minister first openly declared in last year that his government's maritime access was an existential matter, remarks that Eritrea rejected.

Relations between the both governments have often been tense. After a prolonged fight for sovereignty, Eritrea, which has a extensive maritime frontage, legally broke away from Ethiopia in the early 1990s, making it landlocked.

Five years later, a military clash erupted in which numerous people died.

Current Remarks from Ethiopian Officials

Abiy and army chief General Birhanu Jula have publicly asserted ownership of Eritrean maritime facility of Assab – about 60km from the frontier - and suggested the intention to capture it through military means.

Recently, Abiy said Ethiopia's "mistake" of losing access to the Red Sea as a because of Eritrea's separation would be "rectified tomorrow".

Ethiopia's ambassador to Kenya, ex-military officer Bacha, said that the port was "belonging to Ethiopia" and would be restored "by force".

Eritrean Reaction to the Statements

Amid continuous threats from Ethiopian officials, Asmara's position has been limited to short statements on online platforms from Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel.

The minister has dismissed Ethiopian requests for maritime entry calling it "hazardous" and a "negative policy" of "territorial claims" – a strategy of reclaiming former lands.

Government spokespeople cautioned on 16 September that efforts to justify "blatant hostility" would have significant repercussions for Ethiopia and its neighbouring countries and is a "boundary that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Defense Activities on the Ground

There have been few indications of major military movements in the frontier regions between the two countries.

However, in the country, national TV has shown completion events of many recruits at multiple army bases.

The head of staff section of the military, Lt Gen Hachalu Sheleme, commented lately in an conversation that the military was in a "secure situation" as "tens of thousands of recruits" were joining it, which he said was "a signal to our enemies".

Previous Origins of the Conflict

For over fifty years from the late 19th century, the territory was ruled by colonial powers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then controlled by the UK forces before turning into a integrated region of the Ethiopian empire.

But in 1962 the ruler cancelled this agreement and Eritrea became fully incorporated into Ethiopia.

A extended armed struggle occurred, finishing with military reversal in the early 1990s. Independence was then approved by the population in a vote in 1993.

Briefly in the 1990s, there were good relations between the leadership in Ethiopia's capital and Eritrea's capital, but they disagreed over the specific demarcation of their shared boundary, resulting in hostilities in 1998.

Though this ended in a truce in 2000, it was incompletely executed, and the two nations stayed at in dispute.

This changed in 2018, when the Prime Minister made overtures to Eritrean President the president. The two signed a statement that the war was finished – a move that gained Abiy the prestigious award.

The neighboring states were then allies in the country's previous armed struggle in Tigray.

However ties have later worsened again.