🇪🇹 Heavy fighting and internet disruption reported as conflict escalates in northern Ethiopia

Rebels in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region seized local airports and launched attacks this week in the neighbouring Afar and Amhara states, saying they were again in a full-blown war with the federal government. NetBlocks reported an internet disruption in northern Ethiopia corresponding to reports of a telecoms blackout in Tigray, while AFP said it was unable to contact sources in the region by phone on Friday. A humanitarian source in Afar reported heavy fighting overnight around the border town of Abala and said federal forces pushed rebels back from entering the town, with the army using a drone.

Heavy clashes were also reported on Thursday in Amhara’s North Wollo Zone, including around the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lalibela. The fighting has raised fears of a repeat of the 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray, which killed an estimated 600,000 people.

#Ethiopia

🔸 Source

@africaintel