One individual was killed and another injured following drone strikes targeting commercial vehicles in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, according to a senior Tigrayan official and a humanitarian worker on Saturday. The incident represents a significant escalation amid growing tensions between the regional government and federal authorities.
The strikes reportedly struck two Isuzu trucks near Enticho and Gendebta, locations approximately 20 kilometers apart, as reported by Reuters, which cited the unnamed Tigrayan official claiming the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) was responsible. Confirmation of the strikes was provided by a local humanitarian staff member, though the specific cargo of the trucks remains contested.
TPLF-affiliated media outlet Dimtsi Weyane published images allegedly showing the damaged trucks, asserting they were transporting food and cooking supplies. Conversely, pro-government social media accounts claimed the vehicles were carrying weaponry, highlighting the polarized information environment surrounding the conflict zone.
This latest violence follows the resumption of fighting earlier in the week in Tsemlet, located in the disputed western Tigray territory also claimed by the neighboring Amhara region. These localized clashes undermine the African Union-brokered Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) signed in Pretoria in 2022, which officially ended the devastating two-year war.
Geopolitical friction persists due to the presence of Eritrean troops and Amhara forces within Tigray, violations Addis Ababa cited as reasons for ongoing instability. Furthermore, national carrier Ethiopian Airlines recently suspended flights to Tigray, prompting residents to rush to withdraw funds from local banks as uncertainty deepens.
Humanitarian operations face severe strain, exacerbated by funding shortfalls, including the cessation of aid from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last year. Organizations estimate that up to 80 percent of the Tigrayan population requires emergency support, placing immense pressure on the existing health infrastructure.
The African Union’s chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, issued a statement urging all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint and prioritize constructive dialogue to uphold the gains secured under the COHA framework.
