Belay Seyoum was the Commander of the Northern Command of Ethiopia’s National Defense Force (ENDF) immediately prior to the Tigray War that stated in November 2021. During the war, he was reassigned to lead the Eastern Command of  Ethiopia’s National Defense Force (ENDF). 

Belay was promoted to Lei. General in January 2022. He received Maj. General title in February 2018 by the former President of Ethiopia, Mulatu Teshome. Belay was also the Commander of the South-East Command of ENDF. He had previously served as Diffra Senior Military Liaison for the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei UNISFA.