In brief
Addis Ababa was rocked by unexplained explosions at dawn as security forces enforce a newly imposed ban on drone flights. Residents in the western suburb near the military headquarters and in the southern district reported loud detonations around 00:30 local time. No official statement has confirmed the source or impact of the blasts, though an opposition‑linked source claims the attacks were drone strikes. With tensions already high after the outbreak of fighting in northern Ethiopia, authorities have yet to respond to inquiries. The incident follows a recent policy that restricts aerial surveillance amid concerns about weaponized drone use.
Addis Ababa was rattled by a series of unexplained detonations late Saturday night, coming shortly after the government imposed a ban on drone flights. The blasts were heard most loudly near the military headquarters in the western suburb of Torhayloch and again in the southern neighbourhood of Gotera. Local residents told reporters that the explosions sounded like very heavy artillery and were loud enough to set off car alarms.
An opposition‑linked source claimed that the attacks were the result of drone strikes, while no official confirmation or casualty report has yet been released. The Ethiopian Defence Ministry, the Prime Minister’s office, and city police have not responded to requests for comment. The incident comes a week after fighting erupted between the army and a newly formed alliance of armed groups in the north, including forces from the Tigray region.
Security analysts warn that the ban, aimed at preventing weaponised drones from being used against civilians, could exacerbate the already volatile security situation. Residents remain on edge as authorities probe the source and intent of the midnight blasts. The situation is developing, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
