Fighting has reignited in northern Ethiopia, sparking fears of a communications blackout as conflicts escalate between federal military forces and those from the Tigray region, along with their allies. Telecoms and internet services reportedly ceased on Friday amid concerns that the situation could evolve into a full-scale war.
The interruptions have raised alarms reminiscent of the civil war from 2020 to 2022, which left Tigray largely isolated and resulted in around 600,000 deaths. Web monitor NetBlocks confirmed an “internet disruption in northern Ethiopia,” consistent with reports of a telecoms blackout in Tigray.
According to Reuters, Tigray’s ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), instructed private operator Safaricom and state-owned Ethio Telecom to suspend services in the region. A source suggested these measures might be a strategy to counteract the federal government’s use of drones in combat.
While clashes between federal and Tigrayan forces had been ongoing, violence intensified this week and spread to the Afar and Amhara regions following the announcement of an alliance by seven armed groups aimed at overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
The Tigray Army accused the federal army of launching a “full-scale offensive” with mechanised units and drones, claiming to have initiated a defensive war. The alliance has captured three airports and attacked federal troops in both Afar and Amhara.
The federal government has claimed Eritrea is financially supporting the TPLF and its allies, a charge the Eritrean leadership has denied. Abdisalam Balema, a member of the TPLF central committee, described the current situation as a “full war”.
The escalated fighting is the most severe since the last civil war, during which the blockade and telecom blackout contributed to famine-like conditions for many. Reports indicate that residents in Tigray are now hastily gathering supplies and withdrawing cash.
This resurgence of conflict occurs as the United States recently lifted sanctions on Ethiopia and Eritrea over past atrocities, stating that the “national emergency… has expired.” The situation could also embroil Eritrea, which fears a potential invasion from Ethiopia seeking access to the Red Sea.
