Tigray’s interim administration has accused the armed group Hara Meret of launching an attack on regional security forces, escalating tensions in Ethiopia’s conflict-prone north.
In a statement released Thursday in Tigrigna, the Tigray Bureau of Peace and Security alleged that Hara Meret militants—believed to be linked to the opposition Semret Party, a breakaway faction of the former ruling TPLF—targeted local forces in the Melazat area. The incident reportedly resulted in the death of one regional security officer.
The interim government, led by Tadesse Worede, labeled the incident a “terrorist attack,” and further claimed that the group receives foreign funding and directives from the Semret Party. However, no concrete evidence or details about the alleged foreign backers were disclosed.
Political Blame Game
Responding to the accusation, Getachew Reda, the region’s former interim president and current leader of the Semret Party, denied any ties to the armed group. He accused the current Tigray security leadership of being part of a “criminal network” undermining the region’s stability.
Semret Party officials maintain they have no armed wing or financial links to Hara Meret. Meanwhile, Hara Meret has reportedly accused the TPLF, under Debretsion Gebremichael, of preparing for renewed conflict in Tigray—despite widespread exhaustion after years of war.
A Fragmented Landscape
Hara Meret is believed to operate along the Tigray-Afar regional border and has publicly opposed both the TPLF’s return to power in Tigray and its alleged military alignment with Eritrea. The group reportedly emerged in response to what it describes as the TPLF’s forceful reclamation of regional authority following the Pretoria peace deal.
While the group’s size and capacity remain unclear, observers say Hara Meret is unlikely to pose a serious military threat to the well-established forces loyal to Debretsion’s TPLF. Its presence outside the Tigray heartland may reflect tactical weakness or political strategy.
The Tigray administration has warned against any actions that could strain relations between Tigray and neighboring Afar communities, amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the region after years of war and famine.
No independent verification of the alleged attack has yet emerged.
