Ethiopian government troops have reached Zalambessa, a town on Ethiopia's border with Eritrea, Reuters reported, as published by TimesLIVE. The move has raised fears of a war between the two neighbors.

Six sources told Reuters the army had reached the town by Tuesday. They included four people in touch with residents, a diplomat and an expert on the conflict. Zalambessa has about 15,000 people.

A conflict monitor said tanks and heavy weapons were moving toward the border. "Eyewitnesses observed a substantial convoy of tanks and heavy weaponry advancing from Adigrat toward Fatsi and Zalambessa," the group ACLED said, according to Anadolu Agency.

ACLED said Eritrean troops that had been in the area pulled back across the border on Monday, Anadolu reported. But it said it was unclear whether all Eritrean forces had left Ethiopia.

Fighting broke out in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region last month, when rebels led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front went on the attack, Reuters said. The government has since pushed them out of a string of towns.

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of backing the rebels and says Eritrean troops pushed up to 60 kilometers into the country, Reuters reported. In a letter to the UN Security Council, Ethiopia's foreign minister said his country had "no option but to defend itself," Anadolu said.

Eritrea denies sending troops. Its information minister accused Ethiopia of "an unprovoked war of aggression," Anadolu reported. Eritrea has asked the Security Council to take action against Ethiopia under rules that allow for sanctions or force, Reuters said.

The two countries fought a border war from 1998 to 2000 and made peace in 2018, both outlets noted. Ethiopia has lacked a coastline since Eritrea became independent in 1993, and it wants access to the sea.

What we know: Ethiopian troops have reached the Eritrean border town of Zalambessa.
What we don't: Whether the two countries will clash directly.