Latest news in Ethiopia? September 25th, 2026

A major military escalation has erupted across northern Ethiopia, with reports indicating a severe breakdown of stability and intense clashes between rebel forces and the federal government:

• Renewed Armed Conflict: Tigrayan forces (TPLF/TDF), operating in coordination with allied groups including the Amhara Fano militia under a newly announced opposition coalition (“Ethiopian People’s Forces Alliance for Survival”), have launched a major offensive across Tigray, Afar, and northern Amhara. Regional leaders from Tigray have characterized the current situation as a “full-blown war,” while the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has reported counteroffensives and heavy casualties.

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• Infrastructure and Travel Disruptions: Tigray regional airports (including Mekelle, Axum, and Shire) and flights to destinations such as Lalibela have been disrupted or halted. Extensive mobile network and internet shutdowns have also been reported throughout parts of northern Ethiopia amid the fighting.

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• International Reactions: The United Nations Secretary-General, the European Union, and international partners have urged immediate restraint and the protection of civilians, warning against drawing neighboring countries into a wider regional conflict. Several foreign embassies have issued urgent travel warnings for northern Ethiopian regions.

  Ethiopia Observer