Compiled BY: Malami Haruna Dogon daji
ABUJA, NIGERIA – 25 September 2026
ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian federal forces battled overnight to repel an assault by Tigray rebels on the strategic Afar town of Abala, using drone strikes to keep the fighters from entering the mountain border settlement, a humanitarian source told AFP on Friday. The clashes mark a sharp escalation in northern Ethiopia, where Tigray-aligned forces have seized airports and launched offensives into neighbouring regions, prompting fears of a wider war and new humanitarian crisis.
Escalating Fronts and Airport Seizures
The Friday overnight battle for Abala is the freshest development in a rapidly escalating front across northern Ethiopia. The timeline of recent events includes:
- 22–23 September: Clashes erupt in Abala and Erebti (Afar), with humanitarian workers reporting fighting between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and federal forces.
- 23 September: TPLF seizes three airports in Tigray—Mekelle, Shire, and Axum—prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights.
- 24 September: TPLF declares the situation a “full-blown war,” with reports of heavy artillery attacks and attempts to take Yallo in Afar.
- 25 September: AFP reports heavy overnight fighting in Abala as federal forces repel the rebel assault with drone support, alongside internet disruptions in the north.
Competing Claims Over Territorial Control
Treating control of specific towns as contested and source-attributed remains vital, as on-the-ground confirmation is limited.
| Claim or Development | Source | Verification Status |
|---|---|---|
| “Heavy fighting overnight” around Abala; federal forces push rebels back with drones | Humanitarian source in Afar, quoted by AFP (Friday) | On-record via AFP; not independently corroborated by AFP on the ground |
| Rebels had earlier taken control of Abala on Wednesday | Foreign security source in Ethiopia, quoted by AFP | AFP could not independently confirm; presented as a source claim |
| TPLF controls multiple Afar towns (Berhale, Erebti, Abala, etc.) | Former TPLF senior official, quoted by AFP | AFP explicitly states this could not be confirmed |
Strategic Stakes and Military Balance
Afar hosts the main supply corridor from Djibouti, through which almost all of Ethiopia’s international trade cargo, including fuel, moves. Analysts view the rebel strategy as an attempt to push south through Amhara toward Addis Ababa while using the Afar offensive to threaten or cut supply lines from Djibouti, undermining federal logistics.
“Unless the fighting is urgently halted, the conflict will be devastating not just for the country but for the entire Horn of Africa,” the International Crisis Group warned.
Context Box: Conflict Overview & Humanitarian Impact
- Military Capabilities: Federal forces possess a large arsenal of combat drones, an army estimated at around 500,000 personnel, and external support from actors like the United Arab Emirates. Rebel capabilities include control of key terrain in Tigray and coordination with local armed groups such as the Fano in Amhara.
- Humanitarian Concerns: Around 1 million people remain displaced from the 2000–2002 conflict (referencing the 2020–2022 war), and renewed fighting risks triggering new waves of displacement. Reports of internet disruptions, telecom blackouts, and panic buying have also emerged in the north.
- International Reactions: The US embassy in Addis Ababa expressed disappointment at the TPLF’s “large-scale offensive,” while the European Union called for “immediate de-escalation”. Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie Amde warned against “forces of destruction and mayhem” at the UN General Assembly.
The Social Call-to-Action (CTA)
How can regional and international partners most effectively support a lasting de-escalation of hostilities in northern Ethiopia? Share your view on NTA’s social platforms.
