Two Blasts Heard in Ethiopian Capital as Drone Flights Suspended

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1. 1h ago

   Two Blasts Heard in Ethiopian Capital as Drone Flights Suspended

   Two explosions shook the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Wednesday night, occurring just hours after the government suspended drone flights across the region. The blasts rattled residents as a widening conflict intensified north of the capital between federal forces and a new alliance of armed groups. While opposition voices claimed the explosions stemmed from drone attacks, defense authorities offered no immediate explanation, leaving the exact cause and potential targets unconfirmed amid a blackout on verified damage reports. The capital's security lockdown follows weeks of escalating warfare that has drawn regional anxieties and stranded foreign nationals.

   Why it matters

   The capital explosions mark a sharp escalation in a renewed internal conflict that has reignited fears of a broader civil war in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia's military leadership has publicly accused neighboring nations including Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of backing rebel factions, raising the geopolitical stakes. International observers and religious leaders, including the Pope, have issued urgent appeals for dialogue to prevent the violence from engulfing the wider region.

   What is confirmed

   • Two blasts were heard in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Wednesday night.
   • The explosions occurred hours after the government banned or suspended drone flights.
   • Fighting erupted north of the capital between the army and a new alliance of armed groups a week prior to the blasts.
   • Ethiopia's army chief accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting Tigray rebels.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ethiopian opposition groups claimed the explosions were drone attacks.
   • It remains unclear whether the blasts were related to an attack or were part of training exercises at the defense headquarters.

   What to watch next

   • Official government or military statements clarifying the source and target of the Addis Ababa blasts.
   • Further reports on the security situation and movement restrictions in northern Ethiopia and the capital.
   • Regional diplomatic responses to accusations of foreign backing for rebel forces.
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. reuters.com — Ethiopian pro-government forces claim capture of strategic Tigray town
   2. AP News — Ethiopia’s army chief accuses Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting Tigray rebels
   3. The Economist — Analysing Africa newsletter: The war everyone saw coming
   4. Vatican News — Pope appeals for dialogue in Tigray region
   5. The Times of Israel — Israelis rescued from north Ethiopia after days of being stuck amid rebel advance
   6. The Jerusalem Post — Ethiopian opposition claims drone attacks in Addis Ababa after explosions
   7. Reuters — Explosions heard in Ethiopia's capital as war waged in north
   8. BBC — Explosions heard in Ethiopia's capital after drone flights banned
   9. Bloomberg.com — Two Blasts Heard in Ethiopian Capital as Drone Flights Suspended
   10. AP News — Blasts reported in Ethiopian capital hours after government banned drone flights
   11. Al Jazeera — Blasts heard in Addis Ababa as Ethiopia conflict widens in the north
   12. Addis Standard — News: Overnight explosions reported in Addis Abeba amid northern Ethiopia fighting
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