Tigray faces aid drone strikes and reports of Eritrean troop movements

Reports indicate escalating instability in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, marked by both humanitarian disruptions and the presence of foreign military forces. On September 20, a truck carrying 40 tons of food aid, intended for internally displaced persons in Sheraro, was struck by drones during transit from Mekelle. The attack, which targeted a vehicle part of a U.S.-funded program, resulted in damage to the cargo and injuries to a 13-year-old girl and the driver. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) noted that while half the load was recovered, the incident highlights the increasing fragility of aid corridors in the region.

Simultaneously, witnesses and conflict monitors have reported the presence of Eritrean soldiers in Tigray. Local accounts and experts from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) describe military trucks carrying Eritrean troops moving through Adigrat toward Mekelle. Reports suggest the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has utilized drone strikes to target vehicles transporting these soldiers. The Tigray Peace Force (TPF) has accused Eritrea of deliberately deploying heavy weaponry into Tigray to ensure combat remains within Ethiopian territory.