Blasts Rock Ethiopia’s Capital Following Drone Ban Amid Escalating Conflict

Multiple explosions were reported overnight in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, triggering security concerns just hours after authorities imposed a ban on drone operations. Residents and diplomatic sources indicated that the blasts occurred in two distinct locations: one near the military headquarters in the western part of the city and another in the southern districts.

The timing of the incidents follows a week of renewed combat in northern Ethiopia, pitting the national army against a newly formed alliance of armed groups that includes forces from the Tigray region. An individual linked to opposition fighters told Reuters that they were responsible for the strikes, which they characterized as drone attacks.

Local residents described the force of the detonations. One individual in a southern neighborhood, close to the secret service base, estimated the explosion occurred around 00:30 local time (21:30 GMT) in the Gotera area, noting that the sound was loud enough to trigger car alarms. Another resident in the western suburb of Torhayloch, near military facilities, stated he was playing games with friends when the blast was heard.

No official confirmation has been released regarding the cause of the explosions, the precise extent of damage, or any potential casualties. Requests for comment from the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the defense ministry, and federal police were not returned.

In a related diplomatic escalation, Ethiopia’s foreign ministry announced the closure of its embassy in neighboring Eritrea and the expulsion of ten Eritrean diplomats. The move cited activities posing a “direct threat to Ethiopia’s national security.” Eritrea denied supporting the rebel alliance in a statement to the BBC.

The current violence erupted after months of tension between the government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Both sides accuse each other of violating the 2022 peace agreement that ended a devastating two-year civil war, which the African Union estimates resulted in approximately 600,000 deaths. Last month, seven armed movements, including the TPLF and the Amhara militia known as Fano, united with the stated goal of toppling the central government.

Reporting from the conflict zones remains extremely difficult. The BBC cannot access Tigray or surrounding areas due to cuts in internet and telecommunications services. Within Tigray, the national army and pro-government militias appear to be advancing toward Mekelle. In the town of Alamata, a medic reported that 52 civilians had died during three days of intense fighting.

Tensions have also spilled into the Afar region, a strategic corridor linking landlocked Ethiopia to the port of Djibouti. Humanitarian sources estimate that tens of thousands have been displaced. Meanwhile, clashes involving the national army and Fano fighters have disrupted travel around the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lalibela, stranding foreign tourists for over a week.

The conflict follows a deterioration in relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, primarily driven by Prime Minister Abiy’s desire for direct access to the Red Sea. Ethiopia lost its coastline when Eritrea seceded in 1993. While Eritrea fought alongside Ethiopia against the TPLF in the previous war, relations have soured over Abiy’s hints that he might seize the port of Assab by force.

Amid these developments, the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) announced an indefinite ban on all drone flights in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas. The agency warned that legal action would be taken against unauthorized operators, citing the need to protect national leaders and critical infrastructure.