The Peace and Security Bureau of Ethiopia’s Tigray Region has accused the breakaway “Tigray Peace Force” (TPF) of killing a member of the Tigray Defense Force (TDF), warning that decisive measures will be taken against the group.
In a statement issued over the weekend, regional authorities claimed the alleged killing marked the second attack on TDF personnel by TPF in less than two weeks. The claim has not been independently verified, and the TPF has neither confirmed nor denied the specific allegation.
The armed group, which emerged in Ethiopia’s Afar region after splitting from the TDF, opposes the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)’s efforts to regain power in the region by force. TPF has also accused the TPLF of forging an alliance with Eritrea to reignite conflict in Tigray.
Tigray officials allege that the TPF is linked to the new Semret Party led by Getachew Reda, a former TPLF leader. Reda, however, has denied any involvement with the armed faction.
Last week, veteran commander General Tsadkan Gebretensae announced he is coordinating four major armed factions in Tigray to counter the TPLF’s influence. Meanwhile, the TPLF recently declared plans to implement administrative changes in southern Tigray — a move likely to heighten tensions, as the TPF has voiced strong opposition.
The TPF is reportedly active along the Tigray–Afar border, an area that remains volatile amid fragile peace efforts following the 2022 Pretoria Agreement
