2020–21 Sudanese–Ethiopian clashes

In 1902 British-ruled Sudan and the Ethiopian Empire signed a treaty to properly demarcate the border, but it failed as some areas along the border were left unresolved.[15] In both the 1902 and a later 1907 treaty the international boundary runs to the east which means the land of al-Fashaga is Sudanese but Ethiopians had already settled the area and had already been cultivating there along with paying taxes to the Ethiopian government.[16]

After the Eritrean–Ethiopian War Ethiopia and Sudan began long-dormant talks to settle the exact location of their 744km-long (462 miles) border. With the most difficult area to agree on being the al-Fashaga region.[16]

In 2008 they reached a compromise. Ethiopia agreed to the al-Fashaga region being apart of Sudan but Ethiopians would still be allowed to continue living there undisturbed.[16]

Once the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was removed from power in 2018 ethic Amhara leaders condemned the deal as a secret bargain and said they were not properly consulted when the deal was made.[16]

On 15 December Ethiopian militias allegedly backed by the Ethiopian government ambushed several Sudanese military officers killing 4 of them. Later that day Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said he was prepared to "repel" military aggression. Already dealing with a war in the north Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tried to clam the situation by saying "Such incidents will not break the bond b/n our two countries as we always use dialogue to resolve issues"[15]

Things got hotter when Sudan started mobilising soldiers to the contested border and by New Year's day, it claimed to have recaptured all villages in the region. In response, Ethiopian military chief General Birhanu Jula said "Our military is engaged elsewhere, they took advantage of that. This should have been solved amicably. Sudan needs to choose dialogue, as there are third party actors who want to see our countries divided." (When he says third party actors he is talking about Egypt).[15]

On 28 December Sudan claimed to have captured the villages of Asmaro, Lebbaki, Pasha, Lamlam, Melkamo, Males, Ashkar, Arqa, Umm Pasha Teddy. In total it captured 11 settlements that Ethiopian militias were controlling. Sudan also claimed to have captured the town of Lilli from Amhara forces and militias. Lilli is home to Amhara army commanders, major traders and farmers. In total over a thousand Ethiopian farmers live there.[17]

On 3 January 2021 Sudan captured 45 TPLF fighters who crossed into Sudan.[7]