Explosions heard in Addis Ababa after drone flights banned over Ethiopian capital

October 1, 2026 at 04:25 PM2 min

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Explosions were heard overnight in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, including near the military headquarters and in the south of the city, residents and diplomatic sources said. The blasts came hours after drone flights were banned over the capital and a week after fighting erupted in the north between the army and a newly launched alliance of armed groups including forces from the Tigray region. A source linked to the opposition fighters told Reuters they were behind what they said were drone strikes.

Key Facts

Explosions were heard in Addis Ababa around 00:30 local time (21:30 GMT) in the Gotera neighbourhood near the secret service base, according to a resident.
A source linked to the opposition alliance said it had carried out several drone strikes in Addis Ababa, including some targeting the military's headquarters.
Drone flights were banned over Addis Ababa hours before the explosions, according to BBC reporting.
Eritrea's government denied allegations by Addis Ababa that it is backing the new rebel alliance.
Federal troops and allied militiamen made fresh gains in the northern Tigray and Afar regions in fighting with the TPLF, a pro-government militia said.

The Explosions

A resident in the Gotera neighbourhood, near the base of the secret service, estimated he heard an explosion around 00:30 local time (21:30 GMT). Another resident in the western suburb of Torhayloch, close to the military headquarters, said he and his friends were playing games when they heard an explosion. Witnesses said there was no damage visible near the military base. There were no official reports confirming the cause of the explosions, the exact locations affected or whether there were any casualties or damage.

Opposition Claims

A source linked to the opposition fighters told Reuters they were behind what they said were drone strikes. The source said the alliance had carried out several drone strikes in Addis Ababa, including some targeting the military's headquarters. If confirmed, it would be the first known drone attack by anti-government forces on the Ethiopian capital, which is hundreds of kilometres from the front lines in the northern regions of Tigray, Amhara and Afar. Spokespeople for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office, the federal government, the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and the TPLF did not respond to requests for comment.

Northern Fighting

Clashes broke out last week after months of tension between the government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which controls Tigray. Last month, seven armed movements, including the TPLF and an Amhara militia known as Fano, formed an alliance with the stated aim of removing the government in Addis Ababa. The TPLF says it was responding to a federal offensive, including drone strikes, while the government says Tigrayan forces attacked first after seizing control of airports in the region. Within Tigray, the national army and a pro-government militia appear to be advancing towards the region's main city of Mekelle. The TPLF is also reported to be fighting in neighbouring Afar region, a strategic area which connects landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti and its ports.