Tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia have sharply escalated following drone attacks and mutual accusations, raising fears of a possible military confrontation between the two neighboring countries.

Sudanese authorities accused Ethiopia of involvement in recent attacks targeting Khartoum International Airport, describing the incident as a hostile act threatening regional stability.

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mohyiddin Salim stated that Khartoum possesses what he described as “conclusive evidence” linking Ethiopia to the attacks.

The Sudanese army also claimed that the drone strikes were launched from an air base located in Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar region.

The government of Abiy Ahmed strongly rejected the accusations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.

Addis Ababa, in turn, accused Sudan of interfering in Ethiopia’s internal affairs and supporting anti-government groups hostile to the Ethiopian state.

The latest escalation comes as Sudan continues to face internal conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with Sudanese officials accusing Ethiopia of indirectly supporting destabilizing activities during the ongoing crisis.

Longstanding disputes between the two countries, particularly over the al-Fashaga border region and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), remain among the key sources of tension fueling the crisis.

Regional analysts warn that the confrontation could evolve into one of three scenarios: direct military conflict, diplomatic de-escalation, or intervention through international legal and political mechanisms.

However, recent developments on the ground, especially the reported drone attacks and increased military activity near the border, have intensified concerns that the military option is becoming increasingly likely.

Sudanese officials stated that Khartoum reserves the right to respond to the attacks, while Ethiopian authorities have publicly called for restraint and de-escalation.

Despite those statements, distrust between the two sides continues to deepen, raising fears that the crisis could trigger broader instability across the Horn of Africa region. (ILKHA