Ethiopia's Virgin Mary festival in Tigray cancelled over drone strike fears
An eagerly anticipated gathering of women will not be taking place following recent aerial strikes.
A major Ashenda festival celebrating women and the Virgin Mary in Mekelle, Ethiopia, has been cancelled due to concerns over drone strikes. The festival, traditionally drawing thousands of young women dressed in their finest attire, was scheduled for a mass gathering at a stadium. However, Tigray's culture and tourism bureau head, Dori Asgedom, announced the cancellation citing the ongoing drone strikes and threat of war.
Tigray is still recovering from a brutal civil war that ended in 2022. Recent drone strikes have targeted the city, injuring civilians and damaging homes. The regional administration has called for the international community to condemn the attacks and take urgent diplomatic action to prevent further escalation. Tensions remain high as the Tigray People's Liberation Front and the federal government have accused each other of failing to implement a peace deal signed in 2022.
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