Explosions were heard at several locations in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, 1 October 2026, as fighting intensified between federal forces and an opposition alliance in the north of the country, and hours after the authorities imposed comprehensive restrictions on operating drones over the capital and surrounding areas.
Two diplomatic sources said explosions were heard overnight in Addis Ababa. A source linked to the opposition alliance, which has been fighting federal forces in northern Ethiopia since last week, said the alliance had carried out several drone strikes in the capital, adding that some of the strikes targeted a military command headquarters.
Three explosions confirmed as responsibility remains disputed
The alliance's claim that it carried out the attacks, and the identity of those responsible for the explosions, could not be independently verified. The nature of the targets hit, and whether the explosions caused casualties or material damage, was also not immediately clear. An intelligence official, who was not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed that three explosions had occurred at three different locations, without providing further details.
A diplomatic source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said he heard an explosion at around 7pm near a military facility, followed by the sound of an alarm siren. Residents living near the military facility said they heard another explosion near a factory in the area after midnight.
Ethiopia suspends drone permits
The cause of the explosions remained unclear, amid the possibility that they were linked to an attack or exercises conducted near military facilities. The explosions came hours after Ethiopia's National Intelligence and Security Service announced on 30 September that it was suspending indefinitely the issuance of permits to operate all types of drones and similar aerial objects in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas, with the decision taking immediate effect.
The service said integrated counter-drone systems would be used to monitor the airspace and intercept devices violating the decision, warning that their operators would be located and legal action taken against them. It said the restrictions were intended to protect officials, critical facilities and national events from security risks associated with the technology.
Escalating fighting heightens tensions in the north
The developments in the capital came amid renewed military tensions in northern Ethiopia. The African Union expressed concern on 23 September over the escalation of fighting in parts of southern Tigray and the Afar region, and over the formation of new political and military alliances that it said threatened to further destabilise the area.
The African Union called on the parties to halt escalatory steps and resume direct talks under the Pretoria Agreement, signed on 2 November 2022 between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front. It also urged neighbouring countries to refrain from any steps that could contribute to widening the conflict.
The United Nations said on 23 September that the situation in northern Ethiopia was deteriorating rapidly, citing intensified fighting in and around Tigray and the spread of hostilities to neighbouring areas. It called on all parties to protect civilians and ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
On 30 September, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Ethiopia warned of new waves of displacement and growing risks facing people who had already been displaced during the previous conflict, as well as incidents affecting aid workers, their vehicles and facilities, and civilian infrastructure in areas affected by the escalation.
