Explosions Rock Ethiopia’s Capital as Northern Conflict Escalates

Explosions were heard overnight in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, as renewed fighting between government forces and an alliance of armed opposition groups continues in the northern parts of the country.

Three diplomatic sources confirmed hearing the blasts, while a source linked to the opposition alliance claimed that its forces had carried out several drone strikes in Addis Ababa, including attacks targeting the military headquarters.

However, Reuters said it could not independently verify the claim. Witnesses also reported that there was no visible damage around the military base.

If confirmed, the attacks would represent the first known drone strikes by anti-government forces against Ethiopia’s capital, which is hundreds of kilometres from the front lines in Tigray, Amhara and Afar.

The Ethiopian government and military have not immediately commented on the explosions.

Drone Flights Banned in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia’s national intelligence service announced on Wednesday that drone flights were being banned over Addis Ababa and surrounding areas for security reasons.

Opposition forces were not previously known to have armed drones, although there are growing indications that some groups may now possess such capabilities.

The latest fighting is the most serious escalation in Ethiopia since the end of the 2020–2022 civil war, which killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Thousands Displaced

The renewed conflict has also displaced tens of thousands of people, particularly in the Afar region.

Federal forces have been advancing in southern Tigray towards the regional capital, Mekelle, while opposition forces have captured several towns in neighbouring Afar.

A pro-government militia said it had captured Korem, about 100 kilometres south of Mekelle, alongside Ethiopian military forces. Officials also said government and regional forces had retaken Erebti and Abaala in Afar.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the battlefield claims.

Fears of Wider Regional Conflict

The conflict has raised concerns about further instability across the Horn of Africa, a region already affected by Sudan’s civil war and tensions over Ethiopia’s efforts to secure access to the Red Sea.

The Ethiopian government has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the opposition alliance, but all three countries have denied the allegations.

The latest conflict follows the collapse of a four-year-old peace agreement between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The TPLF has now formed an alliance with six other armed groups seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.