Tigray authorities accuse Ethiopian government of drone strikes

Authorities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia have accused the federal government of conducting drone strikes near the regional capital, Mekelle. These incidents have heightened fears of a renewed conflict between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

One reported strike occurred near the village of Dandera, approximately 15 kilometers from Mekelle, allegedly targeting an agricultural training center. Local officials reported one fatality and two injuries from this strike. A subsequent report indicated a drone strike in a residential area of Mekelle, with one official stating it may have targeted civilians or high-ranking TPLF members near Mekelle University.

The Ethiopian federal army has not immediately responded to these accusations. Tensions have been escalating for months, with federal and Tigrayan forces massed along regional borders. This instability follows the 2020–2022 war that resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths, and despite a 2022 peace agreement in Pretoria, recent skirmishes and drone activity suggest the peace remains fragile.