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Ethiopian forces have battled overnight to repel an assault by Tigray rebels in the Afar region, as renewed fighting between the government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) raises fears of a return to a devastating conflict.
A humanitarian source told AFP on Friday that heavy clashes took place around Abala, a mountainous town near the border with Tigray, after rebels launched attacks into neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions.
“The federal forces pushed the rebels from entering the town,” the source said, adding that the army used a drone during the fighting.
The latest clashes follow claims by Tigrayan forces that they are once again in a “full-blown war” with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. Rebels seized local airports in Tigray earlier this week and expanded operations into nearby states.
Heavy fighting was also reported in North Wollo Zone of Amhara, including areas around Lalibela, the UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic rock-hewn churches.
The renewed violence has raised concerns over a possible repeat of the 2020–2022 civil war, which left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions. Residents in Tigray fear a return to communication restrictions, supply shortages, and economic disruptions experienced during the previous conflict.
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported an “internet disruption in northern Ethiopia corresponding to reports of a telecoms blackout in Tigray.” AFP said it couldn’t reach some contacts in the region by phone on Friday.
The Ethiopian government retains significant military resources, including a large drone fleet and an army estimated at about 500,000 personnel, with support from external partners.
The fighting has also created fresh diplomatic challenges, coming shortly after the United States lifted sanctions linked to atrocities committed during the previous conflict. The US embassy criticised the TPLF offensive, saying it was “disappointed to see the leadership of the TPLF launch a large-scale offensive.”
In Tigray’s capital, Mekelle, residents have rushed to buy essential goods as fears of shortages grow.
“There is panic in the community,” Samuel Gebreslassie, a spice shop worker, told AFP. “There is deep fear that banks, telecom networks, electricity and basic goods could be cut off again.”
The TPLF ruled Ethiopia for decades before Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, leading to tensions that eventually contributed to the civil war. A 2022 peace agreement reduced fighting, but key issues remained unresolved, with about one million people still displaced.
