Drone strikes kill schoolchildren and civilians in northern Ethiopia
One Turn followed this story across 6 editions, from Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia on October 7, 2026. Newest first.
Ethiopia fought a war in Tigray from 2020 to 2022 and has faced an insurgency by Fano militias in Amhara since 2023. Relations with Eritrea have deteriorated over Ethiopia's push for sea access.
Drone strikes in Ethiopia's Amhara and Tigray regions on October 20 killed schoolchildren and other civilians, witnesses and residents told Addis Standard. Fighting between federal forces and armed opponents has resumed, and Ethiopia's capture of the border town of Zalambessa has raised concern about war with Eritrea.
Why it matters: Renewed fighting risks a wider war in the Horn of Africa involving Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Eritrean troops are reported to have entered Ethiopia's Tigray Region and to be moving south toward Mekelle. The reports come amid rising tensions between the two countries.
Why it matters: A new interstate conflict in the Horn of Africa could destabilise a region already strained by war in Sudan.
Eritrean forces are reported to have crossed into Ethiopia's Tigray Region and to be moving south toward the regional capital Mekelle amid rising tensions between the two countries.
Why it matters: A direct clash between Ethiopia and Eritrea would risk a new interstate war in the Horn of Africa.