Airstrikes and artillery hit north Ethiopia as government and rebels clash, sources say

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1. 1h ago

   Airstrikes and Artillery Hit Northern Ethiopia Amid Fresh Clashes

   Airstrikes and artillery fire struck northern Ethiopia's Tigray region overnight into Monday morning, marking nearly two weeks of renewed fighting between federal forces and rebels. The air attacks killed at least 17 people northwest of Tigray's regional capital of Mekelle. The violence follows the federal Ethiopian National Defense Force seizing the regional capital, dealing a heavy blow to the rebel forces. The renewed conflict has raised international concerns about the fighting spilling over into wider regional conflicts across the Horn of Africa.

   Why it matters

   The outbreak of fighting in Tigray has triggered urgent appeals for peace from church leaders amplifying papal calls. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to draw regional and international anxiety as clashes spread. Human rights concerns have also mounted alongside the military escalation.

   What is confirmed

   • Airstrikes and artillery fire rocked northern Ethiopia's Tigray region overnight into Monday.
   • The clashes follow almost two weeks of fighting between federal government and rebel forces.
   • Air attacks killed at least 17 people northwest of Tigray's regional capital, Mekelle.
   • The federal Ethiopian National Defense Force seized the Tigray regional capital.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Drone strikes killed civilians, including internally displaced persons, in Tigray's Shiraro and Adwa.
   • Tigray rebel groups are forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15 as fighting spreads.

   What to watch next

   • Further official casualty reports from aid agencies and local authorities
   • Developments regarding the spillover of the conflict into the broader Horn of Africa
   • Reactions from international and regional diplomatic actors
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. The Economist — Analysing Africa newsletter: The war everyone saw coming
   2. The New York Times — What to Know About Fighting Between Ethiopia and Rebels in Tigray
   3. The Washington Post — Fighting in Ethiopia threatens to spill into conflicts in Horn of Africa and beyond
   4. bbc.com — Ethiopian rebel forces withdraw from Tigray regional capital
   5. The Africa Report — Drones over Addis: How Ethiopia’s rebels are trying to nationalise the war
   6. Reuters — Airstrikes and artillery hit north Ethiopia after Tigray capital's fall, aid sources say
   7. Financial Times — Ethiopian government seizes Tigray capital in blow to rebels
   8. Semafor — View / Washington has picked a side in Ethiopia’s new war
   9. The Guardian — Tigray rebel groups ‘forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15’ as fighting spreads
   10. Addis Standard — News: Drone strikes kill civilians including IDPs in Tigray’s Shiraro and Adwa, residents say
   11. OSV News — Church leaders in Ethiopia amplify papal call for peace, as new war breaks out in Tigray
   12. AP News — Ethiopian commander reports drone strikes in Tigray as markets reopen in regional capital
   confidence 95%