The Horn of Africa is on high alert as tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea continue to escalate, raising fears of another war in the region. The two countries have a history of armed conflict, including the Eritrean-Ethiopian War from 1998 to 2000, and recent reports suggest that they may be headed for another confrontation.

The current tensions stem from the division of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) last year into two factions, one that currently governs Tigray with the approval of Ethiopia's federal government and another that opposes it. According to General Tsadkan Gebretensae, a vice president in the interim administration in Ethiopia's Tigray region, the breakaway faction is attempting to ally with Eritrea, which could lead to another war.

The warning from General Tsadkan comes after the breakaway faction took control of the northern town of Adigrat, prompting Getachew Reda, the leader of Tigray's interim administration, to request government assistance against the dissidents. Getachew denied any connection to Eritrea, but expressed concern that the Tigray people may once again become victims of a war they don't believe in.

Despite the lack of an official statement from Ethiopia, there are indications that the country is preparing for a potential conflict. Reuters reported that Ethiopia deployed troops towards the Eritrean border this month, while Human Rights Concern-Eritrea, a UK-based organization, claims that Eritrea ordered a widespread military mobilization in mid-February.

The potential conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea is a cause for concern, given the devastating impact of their previous war. The Eritrean-Ethiopian War, which lasted from 1998 to 2000, resulted in significant human suffering, displacement, and economic losses. The war also had regional implications, drawing in other countries and affecting the stability of the Horn of Africa.

The current situation is further complicated by the internal divisions within the TPLF and broader ethnic and political rivalries in Ethiopia. The Tigray war, which erupted in November 2020 between Ethiopia's federal government and the TPLF, resulted in a peace agreement in November 2022, but tensions remain, and the risk of renewed conflict is still high.

The international community is watching the situation closely, with many calling for restraint and dialogue to resolve the differences between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Horn of Africa is a region prone to conflict, and another war would have far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond.

In conclusion, the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea are a cause for concern, and the international community must work towards preventing another war in the region. The Horn of Africa is still recovering from the devastating impact of previous conflicts, and another war would only exacerbate the humanitarian and economic crises in the region.