Ethiopia's government has called for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from its territory.

Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos made the call during a meeting with United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, according to a post by the minister on X on Thursday.

Timothewos stressed the "urgent need for a clear and principled UN response" and "reaffirmed Ethiopia's right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law".

The UN office in Ethiopia confirmed the meeting, saying Mohammed had held "fruitful talks" with Timothewos on developments in the country and the wider region.

Respecting sovereignty

"She stressed the need to respect Ethiopia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and preserve regional stability," the office said in a post on X.

Fighting broke out between the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopian federal forces on September 23, sparking fears of a return to the devastating 2020-2022 civil war.

Eritrean troops have deployed in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, multiple sources said on Wednesday, threatening to turn an internal conflict into a wider regional war.

Ethiopia alleges Eritrea is backing the rebels, and the two neighbours severed diplomatic ties last week.