# Why Northern Ethiopia's Alliances Keep Shifting

This explainer breaks down the fluid and complex political and military relationships in northern Ethiopia, which have repeatedly redrawn the lines of conflict. It examines the roles of the federal government, Tigrayan forces, and regional actors like Amhara militias and the OLA. Understanding these changing loyalties is key to grasping the region's fragile ceasefire and ongoing instability.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### World
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/7/northern-ethiopias-shifting-alliances-explained?traffic_source=rss) — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:19:01 +0000