Al-Fashaga conflict

In 1902, British-ruled Sudan and the Ethiopian Empire signed a treaty to properly demarcate the border, but it failed, as some areas along the border were left unresolved.{{cite web|last=Zelalem|first=Zecharias|title=Rising tension as Ethiopia and Sudan deadlocked on border dispute|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/1/rising-tension-ethiopia-sudan-deadlocked-border-dispute-fashaga|access-date=8 February 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} In both the 1902 and a later 1907 treaty, the international boundary runs to the east, which means the land of al-Fashaga is Sudanese but Ethiopians had already settled the area and had been cultivating there, along with paying taxes to the Ethiopian government.{{cite news |last=de Waal |first=Alex |date=3 January 2021 |title=Viewpoint: Why Ethiopia and Sudan have fallen out over al-Fashaga |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55476831 |access-date=8 February 2021}}

{{Location map|Sudan|width=285px|caption=Location of al-Fashaga, Sudan|lat_deg=13.9|lon_deg=36.3}}

After the Eritrean–Ethiopian War, Ethiopia and Sudan began long-dormant talks to settle the exact location of their 744 km-long (462 miles) border, with the most difficult area to agree on being the al-Fashaga region.

In 2008, they reached a compromise. Ethiopia agreed to the al-Fashaga region being a part of Sudan but Amhara farmers would still be allowed to continue living there undisturbed. Tigrayan farmers in the northern regions of al-Fashaga were also allowed to stay.{{Cite web|date=29 March 2021|title=Al Fashaga Border Dispute {{!}} Ethiopia Peace Observatory|url=https://epo.acleddata.com/al-fashaga-border-dispute/|access-date=26 June 2021|language=en-US}}

Once the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was removed from power in 2018, Amhara Region-leaders, whose sub-national territory al-Fashaga is located in, condemned the deal as a secret bargain and said they were not properly consulted when the deal was made.

At the start of the Tigray war, the head of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council, Lt. General Abdel Fattah, dispatched over 6,000 soldiers to the Ethiopian border as part of an agreement reached with Ethiopia on 1 November 2020 to prevent Tigrayan rebels from using Sudan as a supply route.{{cite news|date=|title=Sudanese troops have been deployed on the border in agreement with Ethiopia's PM: al-Burhan|work=Sudan Tribune|url=https://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article70344|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226131656/https://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article70344|archive-date=26 February 2021}}{{Cite web|date=24 June 2021|title=Containing the Volatile Sudan-Ethiopia Border Dispute|url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/ethiopia/containing-volatile-sudan-ethiopia-border-dispute|access-date=25 July 2021|website=Crisis Group|language=en}} With Sudanese troops finally being deployed to the border, the 2008 compromise was practically dissolved, and once Amhara militants were re-deployed to Tigray to help the federal government, Sudanese soldiers allegedly began removing potentially thousands of Amhara and Tigrayan farmers from the region. Complicating matters further was a rapid exodus of refugees fleeing to Sudan from the Tigray Region's Western Zone, many of them attempting to escape the wartime violence. The number of refugees increased from around 7,000 on 11 November{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Ethiopia: Investigation reveals evidence that scores of civilians were killed in massacre in Tigray state |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/11/ethiopia-investigation-reveals-evidence-that-scores-of-civilians-were-killed-in-massacre-in-tigray-state/ |website=Amnesty International}} to almost 44,000 by the end of the month.{{Cite web |last=Anna |first=Cara |date=29 November 2020 |title=UN: Ethiopia's victory claim doesn't mean war is finished |url=https://apnews.com/article/eritrea-abiy-ahmed-ethiopia-asmara-kenya-52bb678b19f48e036470caae4aabdb6a |website=Associated Press}}

Sudanese troops made rapid progress in consolidating their hold on the disputed territory. On 2 December, the Sudanese Armed Forces occupied the Khor Yabis area, controlled by Ethiopia for twenty-five years, expelling Ethiopian militants without a fight. Three days later, Sudan deployed the Sixth Infantry Division to al-Fashaga to take control of Jebel Tayara, in Gallabat. Sudan also continued to penetrate deeper into al-Fashaga by the second week of December.

On 15 December, Ethiopian militants, allegedly backed by the Ethiopian government, ambushed several Sudanese troops, killing an officer and three soldiers. Later that day, the Sudanese Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok, said that the armed forces of Sudan were prepared to repel the military aggression. Already dealing with a war in the north, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tried to calm the situation by tweeting, "Such incidents will not break the bond b/n our two countries as we always use dialogue to resolve issues."

Tensions increased when Sudan started mobilising soldiers to the contested border and by New Year's day, it claimed to have recaptured all villages in the region. In response, Ethiopian military chief General Birhanu Jula Gelalcha said, "Our military is engaged elsewhere, they took advantage of that. This should have been solved amicably. Sudan needs to choose dialogue, as there are third party actors who want to see our countries divided."

On 28 December, Sudan claimed to have captured the villages of Asmaro, Lebbaki, Pasha, Lamlam, Melkamo, Males, Ashkar, Arqa, and Umm Pasha Teddy. In total, it captured eleven settlements that Ethiopian militias had been controlling. Sudan also claimed to have captured the town of Lilli from Amhara forces and militias. Lilli is home to Amhara militia commanders, major traders and farmers. In total, over a thousand Ethiopian farmers live there.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=EEPA Situation Report 28 December|url=https://www.eepa.be//wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Situation-Report-EEPA-Horn-No.-39-28-December.docx.pdf|url-status=live|website=Europe External Programme with Africa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112134334/https://www.eepa.be//wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Situation-Report-EEPA-Horn-No.-39-28-December.docx.pdf |archive-date=12 January 2021}}

On 3 January, Sudan captured 45 Amhara militiamen who had crossed into Sudan.{{cite web|url=https://www.eepa.be//wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Situation-Report-EEPA-Horn-No.-45-4-January-2021.pdf|title=Situation Report EEPA Horn No. 45 – 4 January 2021|website=Europe External Programme with Africa}}

Subsequently, Ethiopian militiamen kidnapped three Sudanese merchants from the Basanda area of El-Gadarif state on 30 January, after penetrating seven kilometres inside Sudanese territory, and set their motorcycle on fire. The Sudanese military deployed additional reinforcements after the kidnapping.{{Cite web|title=السودان ينشر تعزيزات عسكرية في الحدود الشرقية بعد اختطاف مليشيات إثيوبية لـ 3 تجار – سودان تربيون|url=https://www.sudantribune.net/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF|trans-title=Sudan deploys military reinforcements to the border area after Ethiopian militias kidnapped 3 traders|url-status=dead|date=30 January 2021|access-date=29 September 2021|work=Sudan Tribune|archive-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130163549/https://www.sudantribune.net/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF|language=ar}} Armed relatives of the abductees tried to enter the Ethiopian town of Metemma but were persuaded to withdraw. The merchants were later released after payment of a ransom.{{cite news|date=2 February 2021|title=Ethiopian kidnappers release Sudanese merchants|language=en|work=Radio Dabanga|url=https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/ethiopian-kidnappers-release-sudanese-merchants|access-date=29 September 2021}}

On 14 February, Sudan said Ethiopian soldiers crossed into its territory. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Sudan had been plundering and displacing Ethiopian citizens since 6 November 2020 and that the Sudanese army should evacuate the area that it had forcefully occupied. Ethiopia also accused Sudan of crossing into its territory.{{cite news |author= |date=14 February 2021 |title=Sudan says Ethiopian forces crossed border, raising tensions |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-ethiopia-idUSKBN2AE0NN |access-date=28 February 2021}}

On 20 February, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Eritrean forces had entered into the al-Fashaga region with Ethiopian forces. Four days later, on 24 February, Eritrea denied the involvement of its forces in the tensions on the Sudanese-Ethiopian border, stating that it wished for a peaceful solution to the conflict and that the government understood Sudan's position regarding its right to extend its sovereignty.{{Cite web|title=إريتريا تتبرأ من التورط في المناوشات الحدودية بين السودان وأثيوبيا – سودان تربيون|url=https://www.sudantribune.net/%D8%A5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A3-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%AA|access-date=28 February 2021|website=Sudan Tribune|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225053855/https://www.sudantribune.net/%D8%A5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A3-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%AA|url-status=dead}}

On 23 February, Ethiopia asked Sudan to withdraw its troops from the disputed border area before peace talks could begin. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Dina Mufti, said that Ethiopia did not want to enter into conflict with Sudan again. He also said that Ethiopia wished to return to the 2008 compromise, which would allow Ethiopian troops and civilians to enter the region undisturbed. Finally, Mufti said there was a third party who pushed Sudan to enter into conflict with Ethiopia.{{Cite web|date=23 February 2021|title=Ethiopia tells Sudan to pull back from borders before talks|url=https://arab.news/c6k9z|access-date=28 February 2021|website=Arab News|language=en}} The same day, Sudan stated that it would not withdraw its troops from the border region and that the deployment of the Sudanese army on the border strip with Ethiopia was a final and irreversible decision.{{cite news |last=Abdelmonem |first=Bahram |date=23 February 2021 |title=Sudan says will not withdraw from disputed area |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/sudan-says-will-not-withdraw-from-disputed-area/2154677 }}

On 2 March, the Sudanese army continued to push into the last Ethiopian stronghold of Bereket in the disputed border region of al-Fashaga, against Ethiopian-backed forces. In the meantime, Sudan claimed Eritrean forces were helping the Ethiopians.{{cite web |last=Abdelmoneim |first=Bahram |date=2 March 2021 |title=Sudan army pushes to control disputed area with Ethiopia |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/sudan-army-pushes-to-control-disputed-area-with-ethiopia/2162126 |website=Anadolu Agency}}

Sudan closed the Gallabat-Metemma border crossing with Ethiopia on 3 April, two days after Ethiopian militias attacked Sudanese customs officials in the presence of the Ethiopian military.{{cite news|url=https://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article69396|title=Sudan closes Gallabat border crossing after Ethiopian militiamen's attack|work=Sudan Tribune|date=4 April 2021|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929221236/https://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article69396|url-status=dead}} Walid Ahmad al-Sajjan, commander of the Fifth Brigade of the Sudanese Armed Forces in Umm Barakit, stated on 8 April that the Sudanese military had retaken 95% of the disputed al-Fashaga region from Ethiopia.{{cite news|url=https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/2021/04/08/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-95-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B4%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7-|title=السودان: استرداد 95% من أراضي الفشقة الحدودية مع إثيوبيا|trans-title=Sudan: Reclaimed 95% of Al-Fashqa border lands with Ethiopia|work=Al Arabiya|date=8 April 2021|access-date=29 September 2021|language=ar}}

On 13 April, 62 prisoners (53 Ethiopians and 9 Sudanese) were exchanged between Sudan and Ethiopia through the Gallabat border crossing in an atmosphere of "positive cooperation and coordination between the two sides".{{cite news|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/sudan-hands-over-61-captive-soldiers-to-ethiopia/2207822|title=Sudan hands over 61 captive soldiers to Ethiopia|first1=Barham|last1=Abdelmoneim|first2=Bassel|last2=Barakat|work=Anadolu Agency|date=13 April 2021|access-date=29 September 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Belmonte |first1=Nerea |title=Ethiopia and Sudan exchange 62 prisoners captured during border dispute over Al-Fashaga |url=https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/politics/ethiopia-and-sudan-exchange-62-prisoners-captured-during-border-dispute-over-al-fashaga/20221219194135159473.html |access-date=8 July 2023|quote=The exchange of 62 prisoners between the Sudanese armed forces and their Ethiopian counterpart at the Al Qalabat Pass - close to the line separating the two countries - has made this clear. The press release issued by Sudan after the operation on Monday gave details of the exchange: the parties, meeting in Matamah under the auspices of the international Red Cross, handed over the 62 prisoners - 53 soldiers and Ethiopians and nine Sudanese individuals}}

Three children of the Fellata tribe were kidnapped by Ethiopian militias from an area near Gallabat and Metemma on 23 July.{{cite news|url=https://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article69851|title=Sudanese children abducted near Ethiopian border|work=Sudan Tribune|date=23 July 2021|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929214726/https://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article69851|url-status=dead}} Sudanese captain Bahaa El-Din Youssef, commander of the Gallabat Military Region, was captured and later tortured while pursuing the militia behind the kidnapping. Meanwhile, the military buildup continued on the border and Sudan closed the Gallabat border crossing with Ethiopia on 24 July.{{cite web|url=https://www.sudantribune.net/%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A|title=مليشيا اثيوبية تقتاد قائد عسكري سوداني والسلطات تغلق معبر القلابات الحدودي – سودان تربيون|trans-title=An Ethiopian militia captures a Sudanese commander, and the authorities are closing the Qalabat border crossing|work=Sudan Tribune|date=23 July 2021|access-date=29 September 2021|language=ar|archive-date=14 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914163719/https://www.sudantribune.net/%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A|url-status=dead}}

Sudan's military stated on 26 September that Ethiopian forces had tried to capture the Umm Barakit area a day earlier but were forced to withdraw after being confronted.{{cite news |last1=Abdelaziz |first1=Khalid |last2=Mourad |first2=Mahmoud |last3=Endeshaw |first3=Dawit |last4=Lewis |first4=Aidan |date=26 September 2021 |title=Sudan says it repelled attempted incursion by Ethiopian forces |work=Reuters |editor-last=MacSwan |editor-first=Angus |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudan-says-it-repelled-attempted-incursion-by-ethiopian-forces-2021-09-26/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926195309/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudan-says-it-repelled-attempted-incursion-by-ethiopian-forces-2021-09-26/ |archive-date=26 September 2021}}

On 27 November 2021, six Sudanese soldiers were killed in an attack by Ethiopian forces on a Sudanese army post near the border between the countries, Sudanese military sources told Reuters. Sudan's army said in an earlier statement on Facebook that "groups of the Ethiopian army and militias attacked its forces in al-Fashaga Al-sughra, which resulted in deaths... our forces valiantly repelled the attack and inflicted heavy losses in lives and equipment on the attackers."{{Cite news |last1=Abdelaziz |first1=Khalid |last2=Abdelrahiem |first2=Moataz |date=27 November 2021 |title=Six Sudanese soldiers killed in Ethiopian attack, Sudan military says |newspaper=National Post |editor-last=Simao |editor-first=Paul |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/six-sudanese-soldiers-killed-in-ethiopian-attack-sudan-military-says}}

On 15 December 2021, the Sudanese forces announced full control over the disputed region.{{Cite web |last= |date=15 December 2021 |title=Sudanese army deployed along the disputed border with Ethiopia |url=https://www.africanews.com/2021/12/15/sudanese-army-deployed-along-the-disputed-border-with-ethiopia/ |access-date=16 December 2021 |website=Africanews |language=en}}

On 27 June 2022, the Sudanese government accused Ethiopia of executing seven Sudanese soldiers and a civilian and then displaying the bodies of those executed to the public. However, the Ethiopian government denied this and claimed that the deaths were the result of a skirmish between Sudanese soldiers and a local militia.{{Cite news |date=27 June 2022 |title=Sudan accuses Ethiopia of executing Sudanese soldiers, a civilian |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudan-accuses-ethiopia-executing-7-sudanese-soldiers-civilian-2022-06-26/ |access-date=27 June 2022}}{{cite news |title=Sudan recalls envoy to Ethiopia after execution of seven soldiers |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/27/sudan-recalls-envoy-to-ethiopia-after-execution-of-seven-soldiers |agency=Al Jazeera |date=27 June 2022}}

On 24 August 2022, the Ethiopian Air Force shot down a plane carrying weapons that they suspected to be destined for the Tigray People's Liberation Front. According to senior officials, the EAF shot it down while it was crossing the Ethiopia–Sudan border.{{Cite web |date=25 August 2022 |title=Ethiopia Says Air Force Downed Plane Carrying Arms for TPLF |url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/08/25/ethiopia-downs-plane-tplf-arms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825105336/https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/08/25/ethiopia-downs-plane-tplf-arms/ |archive-date=25 August 2022 |access-date=27 August 2022 |website=The Defense Post}} Major General Tesfaye Ayelew, quoted by the Ethiopian News Agency, said that the plane "violated our airspace from Sudan... and aimed to supply weapons to the terror group, was shot down by our heroic air force".{{Cite web |date=24 August 2022 |title=Ethiopia says air force downed plane carrying arms for Tigray rebels |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/08/24/Ethiopia-says-air-force-downed-plane-carrying-arms-for-Tigray-rebels |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827061234/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/08/24/Ethiopia-says-air-force-downed-plane-carrying-arms-for-Tigray-rebels |archive-date=27 August 2022 |access-date=27 August 2022 |website=Al Arabiya English}} Sudanese army spokesperson Nabil Abdallah stated by phone that Sudan was not involved in the incident. Ethiopian national security advisor Redwan Hussein stated that "the military explained that a plane belonging to historical enemies of our country, who are known for their incessant desire to weaken our country, was shot down."{{Cite news |date=24 August 2022 |title=Ethiopia Says It Downed Arms-Laden Plane Crossing from Sudan |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-24/ethiopia-says-arms-laden-plane-from-sudan-shot-down-ebc-reports |access-date=27 August 2022}}{{Cite web |last= |date=24 August 2022 |title=Ethiopia: Govt shoots down plane headed to Tigray, Guterres urges cessation of hostilities |url=https://www.africanews.com/2022/08/24/ethiopia-govt-shoots-down-aircraft-enroute-tigray-guterres-urges-cessation-of-hostilities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826223056/https://www.africanews.com/2022/08/24/ethiopia-govt-shoots-down-aircraft-enroute-tigray-guterres-urges-cessation-of-hostilities/ |archive-date=26 August 2022 |access-date=27 August 2022 |website=Africanews}}

• {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia offered to help reconcile the feuding parties.
• {{flagicon|UK}} British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab met with officials from both sides and urged them to end their fighting and seek common ground.

• {{flagicon|EU}}{{flagicon|Finland}} Special European Envoy and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto met with Sudanese officials in Khartoum to help reduce tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia. He also met with Ethiopian officials later.{{Cite web|title=Pekka Haavisto visit to Sudan|url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/92710/pekka-haavisto-visit-sudan_en|access-date=8 February 2021|website=EEAS – European External Action Service – European Commission|language=en}}

According to an April 2023 report by the newspaper Al-Sudani, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) repelled an invasion by the Ethiopian armed forces in the al-Fashaqa District. They reported that the Ethiopian army had carried out an attack with tanks, armoured vehicles, and infantry and that the SAF had inflicted heavy losses on Ethiopian personnel and equipment. According to Al-Sudani, the SAF said that it was monitoring "unusual activity among the Ethiopian forces" since the start of hostilities with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and that Ethiopian forces were carrying out intensive reconnaissance and surveillance operations along the border.{{cite news |date=19 April 2023 |title=عاجل (السُّوداني): الجيش يوقف غزواً إثيوبياً على الفشقة الصغرى ويُكبِّدهم خسائر فادحة في الأرواح والعتاد |publisher=Al Sudani |url=https://www.alsudaninews.com/ar/?p=171052 |access-date=20 April 2023 |quote=Ethiopian forces carried out an invasion and attack on Al-Fashqa, reinforced by tanks, armored vehicles, and large crowds of infantry. Immediately, the armed forces units dealt with them with their various long-range fire systems, causing them heavy losses in personnel and equipment}} However, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed denied that clashes had occurred, and claimed that some parties were spreading false allegations to incite conflict and jeopardize ties between Ethiopia and Sudan.{{cite news |date=20 April 2023 |title=Ethiopian PM denies reports of clashes with Sudan forces |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-64393826 |access-date=21 April 2023}}{{cite web |title=PM Abiy Ahmed warns parties working to incite war between Ethiopia, Sudan, refutes reports of Ethiopian forces incursion into Sudanese border |url=https://addisstandard.com/news-pm-abiy-ahmed-warns-parties-working-to-incite-war-between-ethiopia-sudan-refutes-reports-of-ethiopian-forces-incursion-into-sudanese-border/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |website=Addis Standard}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Tigray conflict}}

{{Aviation accidents and incidents in Sudan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fashaga conflict}}

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