UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed concern over reports that Eritrean troops have entered Ethiopian territory. His remarks come after Ethiopia wrote to the UN Security Council, accusing Eritrea of violating its territorial sovereignty.

In a letter dated Friday, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos accused Eritrea of deploying infantry and mechanized units in recent weeks and supporting, financing, arming and directing insurgent groups.

Mr. Guterres said the fighting in the Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions risks escalating in ways that would further destabilise the wider region.

He reminded all States in the region of their Charter obligation to “refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State”, and of the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

He also appealed to countries with influence over the parties to use it to support de-escalation, and to avoid any action that could fuel the conflict.