Addis Ababa was rocked by overnight explosions as renewed fighting between Ethiopian federal forces and Tigrayan forces continued to intensify in the north. The blasts were reported near the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) headquarters, raising fresh concerns that the conflict could spread beyond the main battlefronts. The cause of the explosions and those responsible have not been independently established.
Highlights
- Explosions were reported overnight in Addis Ababa.
- Blasts were heard near the Ethiopian military headquarters.
- An opposition-linked source claimed drone strikes, but the claim remains unverified.
- Fighting between federal forces and Tigrayan forces has intensified across northern Ethiopia.
- Tens of thousands of people have reportedly been displaced by the renewed conflict.
Main Story
Explosions Reported in Addis Ababa
Explosions were reported in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, overnight on Thursday as fighting continues to escalate in the country’s northern regions.
Diplomatic and security sources told AFP that a blast occurred between midnight and 1am local time near the Ethiopian National Defence Force headquarters in the Tor Hayloch area.
The incident reportedly caused panic among people living and working in the surrounding area.
A nearby resident told AFP that disturbing sounds were heard for several minutes before an explosion.
However, authorities have not publicly confirmed what caused the blast or identified those responsible.
Drone Strike Claim Remains Unverified
An opposition-linked source told Reuters that an alliance fighting federal forces had carried out several drone strikes in Addis Ababa, including attacks targeting the military headquarters.
Reuters said it could not independently verify the claim.
The reports came a day after Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service ordered a ban on drone flights around the capital.
The Ethiopian National Defence Force had not immediately responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
If the blasts are eventually confirmed to have resulted from an attack by anti-government forces, it would represent a significant expansion of the conflict beyond the northern battlefields.
Fighting Intensifies in Northern Ethiopia
The explosions in the capital come after heavy fighting resumed in northern Ethiopia on September 23.
Tigrayan forces have clashed with federal troops and allied forces across Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions.
AFP reported that Tigrayan forces seized several airports in the region and launched attacks into neighbouring Afar and Amhara, while federal forces moved against opposition-held positions.
Fears of Another Major War
The renewed fighting has revived fears of a return to Ethiopia’s devastating 2020-2022 civil war.
That conflict killed an estimated 600,000 people, according to African Union estimates, and displaced large numbers of civilians.
The two sides had maintained an uneasy peace following the 2022 Pretoria agreement, but tensions have steadily increased over the past year.
The latest escalation has now brought renewed fighting, disrupted communications and growing concerns over humanitarian access.
Humanitarian Situation Deteriorates
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported large numbers of wounded people arriving at hospitals in Tigray.
The humanitarian situation has been further complicated by communications disruptions in northern Ethiopia, making it difficult for journalists and aid organisations to independently assess developments on the ground.
Humanitarian sources have also reported significant displacement in Afar as civilians flee areas affected by the fighting.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the escalation, with UN rights chief Volker Türk warning about the impact of the renewed hostilities and communications disruptions on civilians.
Addis Ababa Watches Closely
The reported explosions have added another layer of uncertainty to an already rapidly changing conflict.
While the fighting remains concentrated largely in northern Ethiopia, reports of explosions in the capital have heightened concerns about the conflict’s potential reach.
For now, the circumstances surrounding the Addis Ababa blasts remain unclear, with investigations and competing accounts continuing to emerge.
With fighting spreading and civilians already facing displacement and disrupted communications, the latest developments have placed Ethiopia on a tense and uncertain path.
