Blasts in Ethiopian capital after government banned drone flights
An explosion occurred at the Ethiopian National Defence Force headquarters in Addis Ababa amid ongoing conflict between government forces and the TPLF. This incident follows a government-imposed ban on drone flights and escalating violence in northern regions.
Why it matters
The security situation in Ethiopia is deteriorating, threatening regional stability and the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
An explosion rocked the Ethiopian army's headquarters overnight in the capital, Addis Ababa, sources told AFP on Thursday (October 1, 2026), while pro-government forces said they had pushed back rebel troops in the north.
Heavy fighting broke out on September 23 between Ethiopian forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), raising fears of a return to the devastating 2020-2022 civil war that killed an estimated 600,000 people.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is due to be sworn in for a new term on Monday (October 5, 2026) after winning elections in June, but faces conflict on multiple fronts as several armed groups have formed an alliance against him.
The explosion at the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) headquarters in the Tor Hayloch area of Addis Ababa happened between midnight and 1:00a.m. local time, diplomatic and security sources said.
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