Explosions hit Addis Ababa after Ethiopia bans drone flights

Explosions were heard overnight in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, hours after authorities banned drone flights over the city. Residents and diplomatic sources reported blasts near the military headquarters, as well as in western and southern parts of the city. No official confirmation has been given about the cause, exact locations, casualties, or damage.

A source linked to opposition fighters told Reuters that they were behind what they described as drone strikes. The explosions came a week after fighting erupted in northern Ethiopia between the army and a newly formed alliance of armed groups, including forces from the Tigray region.

One resident in the southern Gotera neighbourhood, near a secret service base, told BBC Amharic: “It was very loud. It was strong enough to set off car alarms.” He estimated the explosion occurred around 00:30 local time. Another resident in the western suburb of Torhayloch, near military headquarters, said he and his friends were playing games when they heard the blast.

The office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the defence ministry, federal police, and Addis Ababa police did not respond to BBC requests for comment.

Ban on drones and rising tensions

Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service announced on Wednesday an indefinite ban on drone flights in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas. The agency said no permits would be issued for drone operations and legal action would be taken against anyone flying drones in restricted areas. It said the measure was necessary to protect national leaders, critical infrastructure, and major public events.

The explosions also come amid deteriorating relations with neighbouring Eritrea. Ethiopia’s foreign ministry said it was closing its embassy in Eritrea and expelling 10 Eritrean diplomats, accusing them of involvement in activities that posed a direct threat to national security. Eritrea’s information minister dismissed the allegations, accusing Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party of seeking external scapegoats.

Fighting spreads beyond Tigray

Clashes broke out last week after months of tension between the government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which controls the Tigray region. Both sides accuse each other of violating the 2022 peace deal that ended a two-year civil war. Last month, seven armed movements, including the TPLF and the Amhara militia Fano, formed an alliance with the stated aim of removing the government in Addis Ababa.

Heavy fighting has been reported in several areas. A medic in the southern Tigrayan town of Alamata told the BBC that 52 civilians had died in three days of fighting. The TPLF reported clashes in the neighbouring Afar region, a strategic corridor to Djibouti’s ports. Tens of thousands have fled their homes, according to a humanitarian source. Fighting has also been reported around Lalibela in the Amhara region, a Unesco world heritage site, where foreign tourists have been stranded for more than a week.

Communications in Tigray remain cut, making it difficult to verify the situation on the ground.