Explosions rock Addis Ababa hours after drone ban

Story By Staff Reporter

Residents and diplomatic sources say several explosions shook Ethiopia’s capital overnight. Some blasts hit near the military headquarters in the west. Another struck in the south of the city. The blasts came hours after authorities banned drone flights over Addis Ababa. They also came a week after fighting erupted in the north between the army and a new alliance of armed groups, including Tigrayan forces.

A source close to the opposition fighters told Reuters that the group carried out drone strikes. However, officials have not confirmed the cause.

What residents heard

One resident in the south, near the secret service base, said the noise was very loud. In fact, it set off car alarms. He placed the blast in the Gotera area at about 00:30 local time (21:30 GMT).

Another resident lives in the western suburb of Torhayloch, close to the military headquarters. He said he was playing games with friends when he heard an explosion.

So far, there are no official reports on the exact locations, casualties or damage. Moreover, the prime minister’s office, the defence ministry and the police have not answered requests for comment.

Eritrea denies backing the rebels

Meanwhile, Eritrea’s government has rejected Addis Ababa’s claim that it supports the new alliance. In a rare interview, Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel accused the ruling Prosperity Party of seeking scapegoats. He said the party blames its neighbours to distract from the internal conflicts it is fomenting.

Eritrea was a key Ethiopian ally during the Tigray war, when it fought the TPLF. Since then, relations have worsened. The main reason is Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ambition to own an Eritrean Red Sea port. Ethiopia lost its coastline when Eritrea seceded in 1993. As a result, Abiy sees direct sea access as vital for the country’s future prosperity. He has even hinted at taking the port of Assab, about 60km from the border, by force.

Background to the fighting

Clashes began last week after months of tension between the government and the TPLF, which controls Tigray. Both sides accuse each other of breaking the 2022 peace deal. That deal ended a two-year civil war. An African Union mediator estimates the war cost 600,000 lives.

Last month, seven armed movements formed an alliance. They include the TPLF and the Amhara militia Fano. Their stated aim is to remove the government in Addis Ababa.

The two sides disagree over who started the latest fighting. The TPLF says it responded to a federal offensive that included drone strikes. The government, however, says Tigrayan forces attacked first and seized airports in the region.

Fighting on the ground

Independent reporting from Tigray is not possible, so verification is difficult. In addition, internet and the main telecoms service there are down. Still, the national army and a pro-government militia appear to be advancing toward Mekelle, the region’s main city.

In the southern town of Alamata, a medic said on Wednesday that 52 civilians died in three days of heavy fighting. The TPLF is also reportedly fighting in neighbouring Afar. This strategic region links Ethiopia to Djibouti and its ports. A humanitarian source estimates that tens of thousands of people have fled their homes there.

Meanwhile, in the Amhara region, the army is fighting Fano forces, now allied with the TPLF, around Lalibela. Foreign tourists have been stranded at the Unesco World Heritage site for more than a week.

The government accuses Eritrea of backing these groups. One pro-government militia commander in Tigray claimed Eritrean soldiers are on the front lines.

Drone ban

On Wednesday, the National Intelligence and Security Service (Niss) announced an indefinite ban on drone flights in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas. The agency will not issue drone permits. It also warned that it will take legal action against anyone who flies drones in restricted areas. According to Niss, the ban protects national leaders, critical infrastructure and major public events.

Reporting based on original coverage by AFP and BBC.