Fresh Drone Strike Claims Raise Fears of Renewed Conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region

Tensions in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region escalated on Tuesday after rebel authorities accused the federal government of carrying out another drone strike, deepening concerns that the country could be edging toward a renewed conflict just years after a devastating civil war.

The allegations come amid reports that Ethiopian federal forces have increased military deployments along Tigray’s borders and conducted multiple drone operations in recent weeks, raising fears of a return to the 2020-2022 war that claimed an estimated 600,000 lives and left the region grappling with a humanitarian crisis.

According to Amanuel Assefa, vice president of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a drone strike targeted the Hintalo district, located south of the regional capital, Mekelle, on Tuesday morning. He alleged that civilians were killed in their homes during the attack, although no further details on casualties were immediately provided.

The claims could not be independently verified, and Ethiopia’s federal army did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the reported strike.

A medical source at a nearby hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that at least three people were injured in the incident, including at least one member of Tigrayan forces.

The latest accusations add to growing instability in the region. Conflict monitoring organization ACLED has previously documented 14 drone strikes in Tigray this year, most of which were reportedly aimed at military targets.

The TPLF once dominated Ethiopian politics, governing the country from 1991 to 2018 before losing influence following the rise of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Political tensions between the federal government and Tigrayan leaders eventually erupted into a brutal civil war that devastated northern Ethiopia and drew widespread international concern.

Recent military movements and drone strike allegations have renewed fears that hard-won peace gains could be at risk. Analysts and observers are closely monitoring developments as both sides trade accusations amid growing uncertainty over the region’s security situation.
With tensions continuing to rise, the international community is likely to watch closely for signs of either renewed dialogue or further escalation in one of Africa’s most fragile post-conflict regions.