Ethiopian Gunmen Abduct 3 Sudanese Traders, Seek Ransom

On Saturday, three merchants were abducted by Ethiopian gunmen inside the Sudanese territories, according to Al-Arabiya news agency.

The kidnappers are seeking a ransom in exchange for their release.

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Ethiopia decided on Saturday, to transfer a number of heavy weapons, including tanks and anti-aircraft batteries, to disputed areas adjacent to its border with Sudan, according to people familiar with the matter.

The military build-up in an area known as the al-Fashqa triangle signals increasing tensions, after deadly clashes in recent weeks raised international concern.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s spokeswoman Billene Seyoum referred a request for comment to the Foreign Ministry, and Redwan Hussein, spokesman for the government’s emergency task force, didn’t respond to a request for comment sent by text message.

Ethiopia’s government earlier this month accused the Sudanese military of carrying out organized attacks using machine-guns and armored convoys at their border. Those attacks killed “many civilians,” according to Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry.

Tensions between the two nations have ratcheted up since conflict erupted in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region on Nov. 4.

Regional analysts and diplomats have said Abiy is under pressure from powerful Amhara politicians in his government, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, not to back down on the border dispute.