Explosions were heard overnight in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, amid escalating clashes between government forces and an anti-government alliance, Reuters reported on Thursday.
Three diplomatic sources told Reuters that explosions were heard in the city overnight, according to the report. A source linked to the opposition alliance, which has been fighting federal forces in northern Ethiopia since last week, claimed that drone strikes were carried out in Addis Ababa, including on a military headquarters.
If confirmed, it would mark the first known drone attack on the Ethiopian capital — a significant escalation in a conflict that has so far been largely centred in the country's northern regions.
What is known so far
The reports come from an anti-government alliance that has been engaged in fighting with federal forces in northern Ethiopia since last week. The alliance's claims about drone strikes in the capital have not yet been independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation from Ethiopian authorities at the time of the reports.
The situation is fluid and developing. Reuters reported the explosions through three separate diplomatic sources, adding weight to the account, but details about the extent of any damage or possible casualties were not immediately available.
The Times of India, which carried the Reuters reports in its breaking live blog on October 1, noted that an opposition alliance source described strikes in the capital including one on a military headquarters.
Why this matters
Addis Ababa is the seat of the African Union and one of Africa's most important diplomatic centres. Any fighting in the capital would represent a major turn in Ethiopia's latest bout of internal conflict, which has already displaced fighting to the country's north over the past week. International observers will be watching closely for confirmation of the reports and for any official response from Addis Ababa.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as more information is confirmed.
Sources: Breaking Live News Updates: Reuters on Addis Ababa explosions
Three diplomatic sources told Reuters that explosions were heard in the city overnight, according to the report. A source linked to the opposition alliance, which has been fighting federal forces in northern Ethiopia since last week, claimed that drone strikes were carried out in Addis Ababa, including on a military headquarters.
If confirmed, it would mark the first known drone attack on the Ethiopian capital — a significant escalation in a conflict that has so far been largely centred in the country's northern regions.
What is known so far
The reports come from an anti-government alliance that has been engaged in fighting with federal forces in northern Ethiopia since last week. The alliance's claims about drone strikes in the capital have not yet been independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation from Ethiopian authorities at the time of the reports.
The situation is fluid and developing. Reuters reported the explosions through three separate diplomatic sources, adding weight to the account, but details about the extent of any damage or possible casualties were not immediately available.
The Times of India, which carried the Reuters reports in its breaking live blog on October 1, noted that an opposition alliance source described strikes in the capital including one on a military headquarters.
Why this matters
Addis Ababa is the seat of the African Union and one of Africa's most important diplomatic centres. Any fighting in the capital would represent a major turn in Ethiopia's latest bout of internal conflict, which has already displaced fighting to the country's north over the past week. International observers will be watching closely for confirmation of the reports and for any official response from Addis Ababa.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as more information is confirmed.
Sources: Breaking Live News Updates: Reuters on Addis Ababa explosions
