Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa was rocked by multiple explosions in the early hours of October 1st, intensifying concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict in the northern region.
According to diplomatic sources, the explosions were reportedly linked to unmanned drone attacks launched by a rebel alliance in Addis Ababa, with some targeting the Ethiopian military headquarters. The source did not disclose further details about the explosions and requested anonymity. If confirmed, this would mark the first known use of drones by the rebel forces in attacking the capital of Ethiopia.
Addis Ababa is located hundreds of kilometers away from the frontlines in the northern regions of Tigray, Amhara, and Afar.
The day before the explosions, the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) had announced a ban on drones flying over Addis Ababa and its surrounding areas due to security concerns. The recent clashes that erupted last week represent the most serious escalation since the end of the civil war in Ethiopia from 2020 to 2022.
A militia group allied with the Ethiopian government announced on September 29th that they had seized drone bodies and batteries from armed groups associated with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Edward Bach, a senior analyst on Africa at the risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, stated that if the rebel forces indeed possess the capability to launch attacks on Addis Ababa, it could have significant implications on the conflict and potentially weaken the government’s aerial superiority.