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Mounting concerns have emerged over the possibility of military engagement among Horn of Africa countries, Ethiopia and the Eritrean government, as hostile language has ratcheted up in recent weeks.

What Has Ethiopian Officials Declared?

Landlocked Ethiopia's demands for passage to the maritime outlet through Eritrean territory has sparked a fierce rhetorical conflict.

PM Abiy Ahmed initially stated publicly in last year that his government's access to the sea was an crucial concern, statements that Eritrea rejected.

Relations between the both governments have often been tense. Following a prolonged battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a 1,350km (840-mile) sea border, legally broke away from Ethiopia in the early 1990s, making it without sea access.

In 1998, a territorial conflict broke out in which numerous people lost their lives.

Current Remarks from Ethiopia's Government

Prime Minister Abiy and army chief the army commander have openly claimed control of Eritrea's maritime facility of the port of Assab – about 60km from the border - and hinted at the desire to seize it militarily.

On 1 September, Abiy said Ethiopia's "blunder" of being denied passage to the Red Sea as a result of Eritrea's separation would be "addressed tomorrow".

Ethiopia's ambassador to Kenya, ex-military officer Bacha, said that Assab was "belonging to Ethiopia" and would be given back "using武力".

Eritrea's Response to the Claims

In the face of continuous challenges from Ethiopia, Asmara's position has been confined to concise remarks on social media from Information Minister Yemane G..

Officials have denied Ethiopia's demand for access to the Red Sea describing it as "dangerous" and a "negative policy" of "territorial claims" – a strategy of reclaiming lost territory.

The information ministry cautioned on recently that attempts to justify "obvious provocation" would have significant repercussions for Ethiopia and its regional partners and is a "redline that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Security Movements on the Border

There have been little evidence of large-scale army activities in the border areas between the neighboring states.

Nevertheless, in the country, national TV has shown training completions of many recruits at various military training camps.

The director of human resources department of the armed forces, Lt Gen Hachalu Sheleme, recently said in an conversation that the military was in a "secure situation" as "numerous of youths" were enlisting, which he said was "a signal to our enemies".

Past Background of the Dispute

For more than half a century from the late 19th century, the territory was governed by Italian rulers.

After Italy's defeat, it was then administered by the British military before evolving into a associated territory of Ethiopia.

However in 1962 the Ethiopian emperor cancelled this arrangement and the region became totally absorbed into the Ethiopian state.

A extended internal conflict ensued, concluding with the government's loss in 1991. Sovereignty was then confirmed by the population in a plebiscite in 1993.

For a few years in the 1990s, there were positive ties between the authorities in Addis Ababa and Eritrea's capital, but they clashed over the exact location of their mutual frontier, resulting in war in 1998.

Though this ended in a truce in 2000, it was partially applied, and the two nations continued at loggerheads.

This ended in 2018, when Abiy made approaches to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. The both leaders signed a declaration that the conflict was concluded – a action that gained the Prime Minister the prestigious award.

The two governments were then partners in Ethiopia's recent armed struggle in Tigray.

But diplomatic connections have later worsened once more.