May 8, 2026
Borkena
Toronto – Sudan is reportedly deploying forces along the border with Ethiopia in the Gallabat, Basunda and Al-Fashaga areas of Gedaref as tension between the two countries rise following claims of drone attack originating from Ethiopia.
Sudanese news sources report additional troops deployment and military hardware to the region.
Sudan alleged that Khartoum airport was attacked earlier this week – allegations that Ethiopia denied. The Sudanese government on Tuesday stated that it has a right to respond to the “Ethiopian-Emirati aggression”, as it calls it, targeting Khartoum airport.
Ethiopia denied allegations from Sudan. It has been itself accusing Sudan of supporting and facilitating TPLF military activities.
This is the first time Sudan has claimed an attack from Ethiopia. In 2025, it claimed a militia attack from the border region in the North West Ethiopia.
Historical Background
Sudan has a recurring history of challenging the Ethiopian state since the time of Emperor Yohannes IV in the late 19th century. The emperor himself, who is from the Tigray region of Ethiopia, lost his life during the battle in Gallabat in the hands of the Islamist Mahdist Forces.
In recent history, Sudan has been supporting Ethiopian rebels including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The relation between the government of Sudan and the TPLF led government, which took power in 1991, was very friendly to a point where Sudanese leaders were attending TPLF events in Tigray.
The partnership between Sudan and the TPLF persisted decades even after the TPLF lost central power. When the Ethiopian Defense Force deployed to the Sudanese border were withdrawn from the area for redeployment to the Tigray region to respond to TPLF attack on the Northern Command of the Ethiopian Defense Force, the Sudanese government deployed troops intruding into more than 30 kilometers deep inside the Ethiopian border.
There have been diplomatic efforts to entice Sudan to withdraw from the Ethiopian territories. Al-Burhan’s government had a position that Sudan is “retaking” its territory, not taking an Ethiopian one.
Current Escalating Tension between Ethiopia and Sudan
The current tension between Ethiopia and Sudan is said to be an offshoot of proxy war. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been allegedly arming and supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. Abiy Ahmed’s Administration is a close ally of UAE and has allegedly played a springboard role to facilitate the delivery of UAE military and logistical support to RSF.
There is even a claim that the Sudanese rebels – RSF – are operating from within the Ethiopian border not far from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Benihsangul Gumuz Region.
Egypt is Supporting Al-Burhan’s government. Sudan’s claim of drone attack from Ethiopian territory is not independently verified.
However, the tension is clearly escalating.
Senior military commanders from both sides have inspected their respective troops in the border areas to assess the level of combat preparedness.
Deputy Defense Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force, General Abebaw Tadesse, this week visited the North Western Command of the Ethiopian Defense Force. “The Western Command is ready to respond to any attack,” he remarked.
Sudanese Military Commander on their part visited their troops along the border area. Sudan tribute on Thursday reported “Major General Youssهf Mohamed Ahmed Abu Sharb, commander of the Second Infantry Division, inspected troops of the Sixth Brigade in the Basunda sector. The field visit was intended to assess readiness and boost morale at forward deployment sites.”
The tension with Sudan undoubtedly adds another layer of security issue for Ethiopia.
The country has already developed tension with Eritrea – and both sides have been preparing for military confrontations for nearly a year, if not more. The shifting alliance in the region witnessed the emergence of Eritrea as a major ally of the TPLF which declared the Pretoria Agreement null and void, and announced a de facto state in Mekelle flirting with seemingly secessionist moves. Notably, both TPLF and Eritrea are believed to have formed an alliance with Al-Burhan’s government.
Ethiopia is also facing a complex internal conflict in Amhara and Oromia regions. The situation in South East Ethiopia and Somalia appears unpredictable although there are no active conflicts at this point.
Many attribute Ethiopia’s current complex security situation to the reckless move of the Abiy Ahmed led “Prosperity Party” government. The government on its part externalizes the cause pointing to the “enemies of Ethiopia.”
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