{
  "id": 11242987,
  "title": "Explosions heard in Ethiopia’s capital after drone flights banned",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/explosions-heard-in-ethiopias-capital-after-drone-flights-banned-11242987",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T17:13:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/explosions-heard-in-ethiopias-capital-after-drone-flights-banned/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Explosions were heard in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa overnight, with some occurring near the military headquarters in the west and another in the southern part of the city, according to residents and diplomatic sources. The blasts took place after drone flights were prohibited over Addis Ababa, and a week following armed conflicts in the north between the Ethiopian army and a coalition of armed groups comprising forces from the Tigray region. An opposition fighter's source claimed responsibility for the drone strikes, describing the explosions as extremely loud and powerful enough to trigger car alarms. Witnesses reported hearing the blast around 00:30 local time (21:30 GMT) in the Gotera neighborhood, close to the secret service base, while another resident in the western Torhayloch suburb heard an explosion while playing games. However, there have been no official reports verifying the cause of the explosions, their precise locations, or any casualties or damage incurred. The Ethiopian Prime Minister's office, defense ministry, and local and Addis Ababa police have not commented on the matter. Meanwhile, Eritrea's government has refuted claims by Addis Ababa that it is supporting the new rebel alliance. The latest clashes erupted following weeks of tension between the government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which accuses each other of breaching a 2022 peace agreement that concluded a brutal two-year civil war. The war reportedly claimed around 600,000 lives, according to an African Union mediator. A week ago, seven armed movements, including the TPLF and the Amhara militia Fano, formed an alliance aimed at removing the Addis Ababa government. The origins of the most recent fighting remain unclear, with the TPLF alleging a federal offensive, including drone strikes, while the government claims Tigrayan forces initiated hostilities after capturing airports in the region. The BBC has no access to Tigray or surrounding areas, making it challenging to verify the current situation and access to the internet and main telecoms provider in Tigray have also been disrupted. Within Tigray, the national army and a pro-government militia seem to be advancing towards the region's capital Mekelle. In the Tigrayan town of Alamata, a medic reported 52 civilian deaths over three days of intense fighting. The TPLF is also reportedly battling in neighboring Afar, a critical area linking landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti and its ports. Reports suggest that tens of thousands have fled their homes in Afar, according to AFP. Fighting in the Amhara region, home to the UNESCO world heritage site Lalibela, where foreign tourists have been stranded for over a week, involved the national army and Fano fighters allied with the TPLF. The government has accused Eritrea of backing these groups. However, Eritrea's Information Minister dismissed these allegations, blaming Ethiopia's ruling party for diverting attention from internal conflicts. Eritrea was a crucial ally of Ethiopia during the Tigray war but relations have since deteriorated mainly due to Ethiopia's desire to assume control of Eritrea's Red Sea port. The country's National Intelligence and Security Service (Niss) announced an indefinite ban on drone flights in Addis Ababa and nearby regions, citing the need to protect leaders, essential infrastructure, and major public events.",
  "summary": "Explosions were heard overnight in Ethiopia’s capital, some in the area of the military headquarters in the west and another in the south of the city, residents and diplomatic sources say. The blasts came hours after drone flights were banned over Addis Ababa and a week after fighting erupted in the north between the army [...] The post Explosions heard in Ethiopia’s capital after drone flights…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}