Ethiopia Alerts Archive

Eritrean forces that had crossed the border through Zelambesa on 7 October reportedly spent the night withdrawing from Adigrat. While doing so, drone strikes believed to have been launched by the ENDF targeted vehicles carrying troops and equipment, and heavy explosions were heard into the morning.

The ENDF targets Eritrean forces in the Eastern Tigray zone with drones

Eritrean forces crossed the border through Zalambessa and headed to the Adigrat-Idaga Hamus route in the Central Tigray zone. The ENDF targeted Eritrean forces at Guada with drones, while they were traveling by vehicle toward Idaga Hamus.

Government forces regain control of Wukro and Hagere Selam towns

The ENDF and its ally, the TPF, took control of Wukro town in Eastern Tigray zone and Hagere Selam town in South-eastern Tigray zone.

The ENDF gained control of Agula, around 35 km northeast of Mekele, after clashing with the TDF with artillery and drone strikes.

The ENDF and TDF clash in Tslimoy

A new round of clashes between the ENDF and TDF was reported near the Tekeze River in the Tslimoy area in Tigray.

Drone strikes target TPLF officials

The ENDF conducted drone strikes in Werqamba in the Central Tigray zone, where most of the TPLF officials are believed to be hiding.

Communication is once again open in Mekele

Telecommunications and the internet began operating in Tigray’s capital, Mekele.

Drone strikes continued in Adwa

ENDF drone strikes continued in Adwa, targeting Soloda and Snit hotels.

Security forces and allied TPF control Mekele airport and city

Security forces and allied TPF gained control of Mekele airport and city. The TDF withdrew from the city following the encirclement initiated by government and allied troops the evening.

The TDF and ENDF clash near Mai Tsebri

The TDF’s Army 35 clashed with the ENDF near Mai Tsebri in the Northwestern Tigray zone. The ENDF repelled the offensive and advanced toward the Indabaguna area.

Drones strike Adwa and Adigrat in Tigray

Multiple ENDF drone strikes targeted various locations in Adwa. The ENDF also carried out four strikes inside Adigrat University, targeting wounded TDF and AFNM troops who were transported from Mekele to the university.

The president of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration and others forcefully taken

The TDF forcibly took the interim regional president, the Head of Information and Security of Tigray Forces, and the TDF Head of Political Affairs to unknown destinations. Following the escalation of violence on 23 September, they had initially been removed from their residences and held at a hotel in Mekele.

The Government regains control of Abala, Erebti, and Megale

Government forces and the TPF regained control of Abala, Erebti, and Megale areas in Zone 2 of the Afar region.

Eritrean diplomats stationed in Addis Ababa are declared persona non grata

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia has declared several Eritrean diplomats stationed in Addis Ababa persona non grata and ordered them to depart the country within 48 hours. It has also closed its embassy in Asemra, after accusing Eritrea of “ direct and indirect hostility .”

Blasts are heard in Addis Ababa

Blasts were heard around 1 a.m. East Africa Time in Addis Ababa, near the headquarters of the Ethiopian military in Torhailoch area, and another camp in Meshalokiya area.

An Egyptian diplomat stationed in Addis Ababa is declared persona non grata

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia has declared one Egyptian diplomat stationed in Addis Ababa persona non grata and ordered him to depart the country within 48 hours. In retaliation, Egypt declared an Ethiopian diplomat persona non grata and ordered him to leave within 48 hours.

Government forces push northward in Tigray

The ENDF regained control over the entire Raya Bala woreda after clashing with the TDF. The armed groups continued to clash around the town of Chercher in Southern Tigray zone, Tigray.

Restrictions are placed on the usage of drones in Addis Ababa

The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) forbade the use of any type of drone in Addis Ababa, with a threat to arrest anyone who uses drones.

Federal forces take Alamata as Tigrayan forces push into Afar

Federal forces captured Alamata in Tigray after days of fighting on multiple fronts, including Sekota and Abergele, opening the push for Mekele. The TPLF and Ugugumo troops hold Erebti in Afar and are advancing on Afdeera, with the intent of cutting Ethiopia's supply line from Djibouti. Sudan accused the Ethiopian government of supporting Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Sudanese insurgents.

Suicide drone strikes target Bahir Dar

Drone strikes believed to have been carried out by the Alliance for Survival targeted the ENDF’s air force base in the Mekod area in Bahir Dar, Amhara.

Suicide drone strikes target Kombolcha airport

Drone strikes believed to have been carried out by the Alliance for Survival targeted a fuel depot in Kombolcha Airport, Amhara.

MSF reports a surge in war-wounded patients in Tigray Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said the number of people seeking medical care for war-related injuries rose between 22 and 25 September. MSF said it received over 420 patients in Tigray's Southern Zone and over 300 in the North Western Zone, both areas hit by repeated drone strikes since 22 September.

The ICRC evacuates around 161 people from Tigray to Afar The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) evacuated approximately 161 people from conflict zones in Tigray to Semera, Afar region. Those relocated include Ethiopian Airlines personnel, federal police officers assigned to guard regional airports, and their families. The TDF seized Mekelle, Aksum, and Shire airports on 23 September.

Drone-related blast heard at the ENDF Air Force headquarters in Bishoftu

Suicide drones suspected to be linked with the Alliance for Survival targeted the ENDF air force camp in Bishoftu, Oromia.

Two soldiers are reportedly killed at Bishoftu air force base Two ENDF personnel were killed in a drone-related incident at the Ethiopian Air Force base in Bishoftu, Oromia region, according to local sources.

Government forces regain control of Sekota in Amhara For a third consecutive day, the ENDF and allied forces clashed with the TDF and the AFNM in Sekota, Wag Hemra zone, Amhara region. Government forces regained control of the town.

An Ethiopian army drone strike targets Tigray TV in Mekelle The ENDF carried out a drone strike targeting Tigray TV in Adi Shimdihun sub-city, Mekelle. The TPLF-affiliated regional broadcaster had kept broadcasting despite an indefinite suspension on 21 September, imposed a day after it aired the formation of the Alliance for Survival.

The Ethiopian army reportedly seizes Alamata in southern Tigray The ENDF has reportedly seized control of Alamata town in Tigray's Southern Zone. The town was hit by between 15 and 17 drone strikes on 22 September, which struck schools and a hospital and, according to Tigrayan authorities, killed 14 people and injured 22.

Tigrayan forces reportedly control Erebti in Afar Fighting continued in the Kelbati Rasu zone (Zone 2) of the Afar region, with the TDF reportedly controlling the Erebti area near the Tigray-Afar border. Tigrayan forces and their allies have been fighting in the zone since 22 September and reportedly captured the nearby Abala woreda that day.

The Gumuz party denies membership in new opposition alliance The Gumuz Peoples Democratic Movement has publicly denied being a member of the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival, the coalition of armed and political groups formed on 20 September to remove the federal government. The party also stated that it does not currently have an armed wing.

The UAE publicly criticizes the TPLF and new opposition alliance The United Arab Emirates, through its embassy in Addis Ababa, issued a statement criticizing the TPLF and the newly formed Alliance for Survival, the coalition of armed and political groups that announced its aim of removing Ethiopia's federal government on 20 September.

Heavy fighting breaks out near Tekeze River in western Tigray Heavy fighting took place between the TDF and the ENDF at May Gaba and Tselimo, near the Tekeze River on the Wolkayt front. Some TDF fighters surrendered in the morning, but reinforcements kept fighting until 14:00. Wounded fighters were taken to Suhel Shire Hospital and May Hanse Health Center.

Clashes continue across Amhara and the Tigray-Afar border Fighting continued along the Tigray-Afar border and in the Amhara region, including Gazgibela in Wag Hemra and Gidan, Lasta, and Raya Kobo in North Wello. Federal forces, the TPF, Amhara riot police, and militia members fought against the TDF and the AFNM.

New fighting is reported around Yallo in Afar New fighting was reported around Yallo in Ethiopia's Afar region, near the border with Tigray, extending the clashes that began in Afar's Kelbati Rasu zone (Zone 2) on 22 September between Tigrayan forces and their allies and forces aligned with the federal government.

Lalibela flights are suspended as fighting nears the town Flights to Lalibela in Amhara region's North Wello zone were suspended as fighting took place around the town, though not inside it. The area has seen repeated clashes since 22 September, including an unconfirmed report that a military helicopter was downed at Lalibela airport.

A drone strike hits Sheraro near an IDP center A drone strike hit Hayelom Tabia in Sheraro, in Tigray's North Western Zone, close to the Adi Abay center for internally displaced people. No casualty figures have been reported. The strike follows earlier drone strikes on Mayhanse Tabia and Tselimoy Kushet in the same zone on 23 September.

The TPLF reportedly detains commanders who opposed the war The TPLF arrested senior members at a hotel in Tigray. Reuters separately reported that veteran commanders who opposed the renewed war, including Tadesse Werede, were detained. The two reports may describe the same event.

Ethiotelecom services go down across Tigray Ethiotelecom mobile and internet services have been down across Tigray since 22:00 East Africa Time on 25 September, limiting communications amid renewed fighting in the region. Safaricom's network is reportedly still operating.

The UN and EU urge restraint in Ethiopia The United Nations and the European Union called on all parties in Ethiopia to show restraint and return to the African Union-led peace process. Their appeal follows the seizure of Mekelle, Aksum, and Shire airports by the TDF and the spread of fighting into the Amhara and Afar regions.

Tigrayan forces seize Mekelle, Aksum, and Shire airports The TDF seized control of the airports in Mekelle, Aksum, and Shire, Tigray's three main airports. The seizures mark a major escalation in the renewed conflict between Tigrayan forces and Ethiopia’s federal government, which has spread beyond Tigray into the Amhara and Afar regions.

New fronts open in Amhara and Afar New fronts opened at Kobo-Tumuga in North Wello, where Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) fought alongside the Amhara Fano National Movement (AFNM) along the Zata-Dinqa-Sekota axis in Amhara and at Tonsa on the Afar border. The fronts extend fighting well beyond Tigray's regional boundaries.

Fighting continues in Afar's Kelbati Rasu zone Fighting continued from 01:00 to 13:00 East Africa Time in the Kelbati Rasu zone (Zone 2) of the Afar region. The TPLF and Ugugumo fought against the TPF, a force aligned with the federal government.

Clashes break out in Wag Hemra and North Wello Clashes on 22 and 23 September were reported at Asketema, Chila, Deguasach, and Hamusit in Amhara's Wag Hemra zone, and at Enjafat, Tekulesh, and Gidan in North Wello. There is also an unconfirmed report that a military helicopter was downed at Lalibela airport.

Drone strikes hit Tigray's North Western Zone Drone strikes hit Mayhanse Tabia in Asgede woreda and Tselimoy Kushet in Dedebit, both in Tigray's North Western Zone. No casualty figures have been reported. The strikes are part of a wider pattern of drone attacks in Tigray since fighting resumed.

Ethiopian army claims 272 killed in North Wello The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) says it repelled attacks on seven localities in Amhara's North Wello zone, claiming 272 attackers were killed and 260 wounded. The figures have not been independently verified.

A Tigray police chief and a senior TPLF member defect The head of the Tigray Police Force and a senior member of the TPLF defected to Ethiopia's federal government, marking a split within Tigray's leadership amid the renewed fighting.

UN chief and AU condemn Tigray airport seizures United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said he was gravely concerned by the seizure of Mekelle, Aksum, and Shire airports by Tigrayan forces and the spread of fighting beyond Tigray. The African Union said the seizures were inconsistent with the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement that ended the Tigray war.

Up to 17 drone strikes hit Alamata Between 15 and 17 drone strikes hit Alamata in southern Tigray, striking several schools and a hospital. Tigrayan authorities reported that 14 people were killed and 22 injured. The breakdown between civilian and combatant casualties is unknown.

Tigrayan forces reportedly capture Abala in Afar Fighting broke out early in the morning in Abala, Megale, Wosema, and Erebti in Afar's Kelbati Rasu zone (Zone 2). The TPLF and the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (Ugugumo) fought the Tigray Peace Forces (TPF), and Tigrayan forces reportedly took control of Abala woreda.

The Ethiopian Media Authority suspends Tigray TV The Ethiopian Media Authority suspended Tigray TV, the regional broadcaster, indefinitely. The suspension comes as fighting resumes between Tigrayan forces and the federal government, a day after armed and political groups announced a new alliance aimed at removing the government.

Eritrea is accused of backing Ethiopian armed groups Getachew Reda accused Eritrea, with Egyptian support, of using Fano, the Oromo Liberation Army, and Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) factions as proxies. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's spokesperson said the new opposition alliance has Eritrean financial backing. Eritrea denies the allegations.

Seven groups launch an alliance to remove the Ethiopian government Seven armed and political groups announced the formation of the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival. The coalition's stated aim is to remove Ethiopia's federal government. Its launch came as tensions in Tigray escalated toward renewed open conflict with federal forces.

The US lifts sanctions on Eritrea's military and ruling party The United States allowed its 2021 national emergency related to the conflict in northern Ethiopia to expire. This lifts US sanctions on Eritrea's military and its ruling party, which had been imposed over Eritrea's role in the Tigray war.