Fears of return to war grow in Ethiopia's Tigray region

Fears are growing that Ethiopia could be sliding back toward a devastating war in its northern Tigray region, as the government and the political party that controls Tigray accuse each other of launching new offensives.

Tigrayan forces have seized airports in Tigray, and fighting has spread beyond the region into neighboring Afar and Amhara, according to Ethiopian officials and Tigrayan authorities.

Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to Tigray following the seizure of the airports.

Getachew Reda, an adviser to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accused Tigrayan forces of launching an " all-out offensive " against government positions. Tigrayan authorities say their forces were responding defensively to attacks by federal troops.