Ethiopians Flee to Kenya Amidst Escalating Border Fighting in Moyale

Hundreds of Ethiopians, predominantly women and children, have sought refuge in Kenya, crossing the border through multiple entry points in Moyale. Kenyan police confirmed the influx on Thursday, citing escalating tensions and reported gunfire in the border town. The displacement is attributed to a dispute that reportedly began when loyalists raised the flag of a neighboring majority-Somali state. According to Kenyan police, the fighting erupted between forces from Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regional states, creating chaotic scenes in Moyale. Ethiopian media indicated that the conflict originated from a disagreement over the hoisting of the Somali Regional State's flag on Sunday, which subsequently escalated into armed confrontation.

The Kenya Red Cross is actively providing support to the displaced individuals, establishing temporary shelters and distributing essential supplies such as cereal and porridge flour. Their initial response is expected to assist 1,000 households, with ongoing assessments to determine the full extent of the needs of those affected. This regional clash is geographically distinct from the larger, ongoing conflict in the northern Tigray region, which involves government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.