Ethiopia Drone Strike Hits Displaced Camp
Drones struck a camp for displaced people in South Wollo, Ethiopia, on 29 October 2026. Residents count 16 to 18 dead; the army has not answered. The post Ethiopia Drone Strike Hits Displaced Camp appeared first on The Rio Times .
On Thursday, October 29, 2026, drones struck a displaced camp in Ethiopia's Amhara region, resulting in at least 16 deaths and 36 injuries. The camp, known as Jari 2 or the Turk camp, is located in the Tehuledere district of South Wollo zone, near the town of Hayk. According to residents, the first drone hit around 11:00 local time, followed by at least four more strikes, 15 to 20 minutes apart.
The drones targeted plastic sheeting shelters occupied by families. Some residents reported that people burned inside the shelters during the attacks. Residents claim 16 people died at the camp and two more later died in the hospital, totaling 16. However, a camp coordinator reported 14 deaths on Thursday and two more in the hospital, for a total of 16.
A hospital source in Hayk stated that 36 wounded people arrived at the town's hospital at around 14:00, including eight children aged three and older and ten women. Twelve individuals with severe injuries were transferred to the larger hospital in Dessie, while eleven remained in Hayk. The final death toll remains uncertain, as reports range from 14 to 18, and some wounded might still succumb to their injuries.
The army has not commented on the attack, and the government has not issued a public statement. Rights groups have previously documented drone strikes on civilians in Amhara. Following the strike, many families left the camp out of fear of further attacks, primarily women, children, and the elderly. The camp coordinator stated that no food aid had reached the camp for four months, and drone flights and heavy gunfire continued around the camp on Friday.
People are struggling to carry their frail relatives on sticks and cloth to the main road due to the lack of transport. Some men have ventured into nearby forests, but it is unclear where the camp's residents will find shelter. The State Department's Ethiopia advisory has been Level 3, Reconsider Travel, and advises Americans to avoid Amhara.
Aid groups, including US-funded organizations, are expected to face increased needs in South Wollo for shelter, food, and care for burns and wounds. Investors with interest in Ethiopia should monitor the situation, as strikes on civilians could draw US or European criticism, potentially impacting aid and trade discussions. The incident follows church-reported killings in Arsi, adding to the growing number of unsafe areas for civilians in Ethiopia.
The identity of the drone operators and the reason behind the attack remain unknown. No independent group has visited the camp, and the army has not disclosed whether it conducted any operation near the area on Thursday.
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