In a dramatic escalation of internal rifts within Tigray’s political and military landscape, General Gu’ush Gebre (Fenqel), commander of Army 15 operating near the Ethio-Eritrean border, has declared open opposition to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), accusing the movement of dragging the region into cycles of conflict.
In a strongly worded statement, Army 15 alleged that Tigray’s instability stems directly from the policies and decisions of the TPLF leadership. The group, which is stationed in Adigrat near the Eritrean frontier, said it had conducted a “recent evaluation” of the situation and concluded that the TPLF’s alignment with Eritrea is “illegal, harmful, and without benefit to Tigray.”
General Gu’ush and senior commanders criticized TPLF chairperson Debretsion Gebremichael for pursuing what they termed an “unhealthy relationship” with Asmara, warning that it risks plunging Tigray into yet another war. “We categorically reject any action that drags Tigray back into conflict,” their statement said, urging that cooperation with Eritrea must cease immediately and without conditions.
The statement also took aim at the Tigray Interim Administration under Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, denouncing recent administrative reshuffles in South and Southeastern Tigray. Army 15 accused the interim government of “dividing Tigray’s territories without reclaiming them” and warned that such moves have already triggered instability in Raya. The group called Tadesse’s path “divisive,” charging that his leadership is deepening fractures inside Tigray rather than uniting its people.
Army 15 leaders urged the Interim Administration to instead focus on reclaiming disputed territories in line with the Pretoria Agreement, stressing that “only trust and collaboration with the federal government can bring back the lands that rightfully belong to Tigray.”
The defiance from General Gu’ush has heightened tensions in Adigrat and surrounding areas, with reports suggesting that authorities may move to arrest him and other commanders for breaking ranks with the majority of Tigrayan military leaders who remain loyal to the TPLF.
Observers note that this public break by Army 15 underscores the growing divisions within Tigray’s military and political elite, raising new questions about the region’s fragile stability and the viability of peace agreements signed to end the devastating war in northern Ethiopia.
