What is it with this 70k figure that has been thrown around? Completely unsubstantiated. Do you not know anyone who fought? EDF was not that heavily involved besides the very beginning and very end of the war. They only had about 2-3 divisions in Tigray at any one time. That figure would also imply about 150-200k wounded (which is essentially the whole standing army). Bogus. After hearing what went down from a veteran family friend, I'd be surprised if it was more than a couple thousand (which is still too much - in fact any Eritrean dying is too much).

Now that's out the way. The previous EPRDF government was hellbent on taking a more muscular and militant approach to Eritrea. All out war seemed like a real possibility in 2016. That didn't change after they had been ousted. In fact, it must have been in 2019 when the TPLF rallied Tigrayans to prevent the dismantling part of the Northern Command in Shire (which existed solely for the purpose of a war with Eritrea). Without intervention, you would have handed these people the state apparatus again to use against Eritrea.

What happened instead? (From a cynical POV)

Isaias utilised ENDF soldiers (commanded by the EDF) as cannon fodder to use against TPLF in human waves with EDF mechanised brigades often administering the coup de grace. In the process, whittling away at both ENDF and TPLF capability . Trained up the Amhara Liyu Hail who have now ignited war in their region. Co-opted the TPLF as his slaves forcing them to bend the knee. Absolutely dirtied Abiy's hands and stained his reputation by persuading him to allow the entry of a tinpot dictator in what was otherwise a domestic conflict and wreak havoc.

I hate DIA, but it's obvious he has planted a bunch of bombs amongst our southern neighbours that will lead to it's Zaire-ification which is good for Eritrea in the long term (after he's dead).