Explosions echoed through Addis Ababa overnight as fighting between Ethiopia’s federal military and a coalition of armed opposition groups expanded across the country’s northern regions. The blasts occurred just hours after authorities imposed a restriction on drone flights within the capital and its surrounding areas.
According to three diplomatic sources speaking to Reuters on Thursday, the detonations were audible throughout the capital. A representative for the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival attributed several drone strikes in Addis Ababa to the coalition, including attacks targeting the military headquarters. The alliance, which unites seven armed factions from the Tigray, Amhara, Afar, Somali, and Benishangul-Gumuz regions, stated its objective is to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
Meanwhile, government forces have pressed northward into Tigray, reaching approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the regional capital, Mekelle. Al Jazeera reporter Muhammed Tawakel noted on Wednesday that combat had shifted from the Amhara region deep into Tigray. In response, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has repositioned its fighters, and some leaders have departed Mekelle alongside thousands of civilians fleeing anticipated clashes. Reports indicate that electricity and internet services in the area have been disrupted.
The escalation follows a major offensive by Tigrayan forces last week, which the TPLF describes as a “defensive war” against federal aerial and artillery bombardment. Government troops and allied militias have since launched a counteroffensive. The federal government has accused neighboring states of supporting the rebel coalition, allegations that the neighbors deny.
Tensions are also mounting in the neighboring Afar region, where authorities have reiterated accusations of Eritrean military involvement. Government forces claimed to have retaken the border towns of Erebti and Abaala, though these assertions remain unverified. Local mediation attempts to secure the withdrawal of forces from these areas have reportedly failed.
The humanitarian situation in Afar is deteriorating, with over 80,000 residents trapped in conflict zones. Tawakel warned that the fighting carries significant risks of regional spillover, potentially drawing Ethiopia and Eritrea into a broader war and threatening food security by disrupting trade routes to Djibouti. Fighting has also reached areas bordering Eritrea and Sudan.
Ahmed Hussein, the deputy governor of Afar, told Al Jazeera that Ethiopia is facing an “unprecedented attack” aimed at undermining regional administration and installing leaders loyal to Eritrea. He called on Asmara to withdraw from Afar territory and held it responsible for civilian safety in areas held by opposition groups.
Another Middle Eastern-style proxy war? Eritrea’s involvement makes this so much worse for everyone involved locally.
The drone restrictions in Addis Ababa are a huge red flag. This is no longer just a northern conflict; it’s spreading to the capital.
Are we sure government forces actually reached 40km from Mekelle? Official claims often seem optimistic during early advances.
I have family in Mekelle. Please keep them in your prayers. The silence from internet cutouts is the loudest signal.
This is terrifying. A civil war in Ethiopia could destabilize the entire Horn of Africa region for years to come.