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Sudan Rejects Ethiopia's Claim It Backed Anti-Abiy Alliance

Sudan

AFP via Getty Images/Getty

AFP via Getty Images/Getty

What Happened

Ethiopia's army chief Birhanu Jula accused Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea of backing armed groups fighting federal troops in the north on the military's YouTube channel. He offered no public evidence; Khartoum denied the claim as baseless, and it coincided with renewed heavy fighting plus communications and humanitarian disruption.

Key Implications

Reuters reports that the fighting has already displaced at least 150,000 people in Afar, while a humanitarian source said Erebti fell after heavy artillery fire. Reuters also said the offensive could threaten supply routes from Djibouti, which carries almost all of Ethiopia's international trade cargo, including fuel.

What Happened

Ethiopia's army chief Birhanu Jula accused Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea of backing armed groups fighting federal troops in the north on the military's YouTube channel. He offered no public evidence; Khartoum denied the claim as baseless, and it coincided with renewed heavy fighting plus communications and humanitarian disruption.

Key Implications

Reuters reports that the fighting has already displaced at least 150,000 people in Afar, while a humanitarian source said Erebti fell after heavy artillery fire. Reuters also said the offensive could threaten supply routes from Djibouti, which carries almost all of Ethiopia's international trade cargo, including fuel.

Where Sources Agree

  • arrows_inputEthiopian Army Accusations: Sources verify that Ethiopian army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula accused Sudan, Egypt, and Eritrea of supporting armed groups fighting federal troops, as stated in Ethiopian army media reports on Sunday.
  • arrows_inputSudan Rejects Allegations: Most reporting highlights that the Sudanese military dismissed as baseless Ethiopia’s accusations of supporting anti-government armed groups, affirming the nation’s commitment to international law and good neighborly relations, according to a statement from the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Where Sources Disagree

  • arrows_outputCross-Border Support Allegations: Ethiopia’s army chief has accused Sudan of providing critical support to anti-government rebels. However, the Sudanese military has rejected these allegations as baseless, instead countering that Ethiopia is actively facilitating training and drone supplies for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces operating within Sudan.
  • arrows_outputDrone Attack Allegations: Sudanese officials allege that drone attacks targeting their forces are being launched from Ethiopian territory, while Ethiopian officials deny any involvement in these operations, dismissing the claims as baseless.

Timeline

September 28, 2026

Khartoum Rejects Claims; Humanitarian Toll: Sudan's armed forces rejected Ethiopia's allegations as 'baseless' and counter-accused Addis Ababa of supporting the RSF and permitting drone activity, while both sides denied other regional accusations; meanwhile fighting has driven humanitarian impacts — an estimated 150,000 people displaced in Afar, the fall of Erebti to rebels, and attacks such as a drone strike on Tigrai TV's headquarters amid widespread communications blackouts.

September 28, 2026

Army Chief Accuses Neighbors: Ethiopia's army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula publicly accused Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea of backing and supplying forces allied with the TPLF and other rebel groups, saying external support was enabling organized offensives. The accusations were aired on the military's YouTube channel without presenting evidence.

September 28, 2026

Seven-Group Anti-Abiy Alliance: An alliance of seven armed groups — including the TPLF, the Oromo Liberation Army and the Amhara Fano movement — was announced, saying its aim is to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and establish a transitional administration. The coalition revives fears of a nationwide organized opposition beyond Tigray.

Summary by Ground AI

Sources

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A varied selection of sources chosen by Ground to reflect the diversity of this story’s coverage.

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