Ethiopia’s Tigray struggle formally led to 2022, however tensions proceed to have an effect on the area. A video just lately posted on Fb purports to indicate the previous president of the Tigray area, Debretsion Gebremichael, asserting a brand new alliance between Tigray and Amhara regional forces to start out a brand new struggle in opposition to the Ethiopian federal authorities. Nonetheless, that is false: the video is from a press convention Debretsion gave greater than three years in the past, on the top of the Tigray struggle. Furthermore, he didn’t make any such announcement, both within the false Fb clip or the unique video.
The textual content accompanying the put up, written in Amharic, reads: “Message from Tigray to the Amhara individuals: A name to unite and stand collectively in opposition to the tyrannical regime. Dr. Debretsion has urged for an alliance, emphasising that ‘it’s unimaginable to convey the individuals of the North to their knees’ (sic).”
“North” on this context refers to Ethiopia’s Amhara and Tigray areas.
Screenshot of the false put up, taken on August 7, 2025
The put up’s textual content additional claims Debretsion mentioned: “Beginning right now, now we have accomplished our preparations to launch a joint operation along with our Eritrean and Tigrayan brothers in opposition to the oppressive regime, in a coordinated effort to determine a authorities of the individuals.”
“Oppressive regime” on this case means the federal government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The put up was printed on Fb on July 31, 2025, and has been shared greater than 120 instances.
The put up additionally features a video wherein Debretsion speaks about Tigray’s armed forces.
“The Tigray forces emerged in response to a tyrannical regime,” he says, including: “They have been established not out of false narratives or for monetary achieve, however to withstand the tragic oppression and systemic suppression confronted by the Tigrayan individuals.”
Fragile peace deal
Ethiopia is at present grappling with ongoing conflicts in its two most populous areas: Oromia and Amhara (archived right here).
The Tigray area endured a brutal civil struggle between 2020 and 2022, wherein Ethiopian federal forces — backed by the Eritrean army and native militias — fought in opposition to the Tigray Folks’s Liberation Entrance (archived right here).
The battle resulted within the deaths of an estimated 600,000 individuals, with all sides accused of committing atrocities.
Though a peace settlement was signed in Pretoria, South Africa, in November 2022, its implementation stays incomplete. Debretsion, the previous Tigray regional authorities chief, was sacked in April 2025 following disagreement between rival Tigray factions, which threatened the peace deal (archived right here).
Relations between longtime foes Ethiopia and Eritrea have additionally deteriorated, regardless of their alliance through the Tigray battle. Animosities resurfaced in October 2023 following Abiy’s renewed push for entry to the Crimson Sea. Each governments have since accused one another of getting ready for struggle (archived right here).
Nonetheless, the video doesn’t present Debretsion asserting a renewed alliance to wage struggle in opposition to the Ethiopian authorities.
Previous video
AFP Reality Verify used the video verification software InVID-WeVerify to conduct reverse picture searches on keyframes from the video of Debretsion talking.
The outcomes revealed {that a} longer model of the video was initially printed greater than three years in the past, in October 2021 (archived right here).
The unique video, printed on the official YouTube web page of state-owned broadcaster Tigrai TV, is over 9 minutes lengthy and titled in Amharic: “Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael Press Convention on Present Affairs.”
Within the authentic video, Debretsion begins by stating: “On this press convention, I wish to make clear that the struggle within the Afar and Amhara areas is coming to an finish.”
He goes on to explain how Tigrayan forces had engaged in intense battles with federal forces throughout a number of places in each areas. Throughout the speech, he refers to Abiy’s administration as a “fascist regime”.
On the time — in early October 2021 — Tigrayan forces had pushed into the neighbouring Amhara and Afar areas and quickly captured key cities (archived right here).
The false Fb clip is taken from the unique video, particularly from the 1’43”-3’03” mark.
Screenshots of the unique video (left) and the false clip, taken on August 8, 2025
At no level — both within the authentic video or within the false clip circulating on Fb — did Debretsion name on forces in Amhara and Tigray to ally in opposition to the federal regime, nor did he announce a brand new struggle involving Eritrean forces.
