Drone strike kills one, injures another in central Tigray

A drone strike in the Enticho area of Ethiopia’s Central Tigray region killed one person and injured another, according to the regional broadcaster Tigray Television.

The incident occurred between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. local time, when two trucks traveling through the area were struck. The vehicles were reportedly transporting agricultural and commercial goods, including bananas, cooking oil, and coffee. The strike caused extensive damage to both trucks and destroyed much of their cargo.

Local authorities said one of the drivers was killed instantly in the attack. His assistant, who was traveling with him at the time, sustained injuries and was taken to a medical facility for treatment. No further details about his condition were immediately available.

The strike comes amid rising tensions between Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara regions, which have intensified over recent months. Sporadic clashes have been reported across northern parts of the country, raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict following the fragile ceasefire that ended the two-year Tigray war in late 2022.

The latest incident is part of the broader use of drone warfare in Ethiopia’s ongoing security operations, particularly by federal forces. Armed drones have become a central feature of the country’s recent conflicts, though their deployment has raised concerns over civilian safety and targeting accuracy.

Late last month, a drone strike “mistakenly” hit a pro-government militia camp, killing dozens of fighters. That incident underscored the military’s growing reliance on drone technology.

Drones are widely believed to have played a decisive role during the Tigray War. As Tigray forces advanced toward Addis Ababa in late 2021, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces relied heavily on drone strikes to halt the offensive. The unmanned aerial systems provided the government with a significant tactical advantage, allowing it to strike TDF positions with precision and disrupt supply lines. Analysts argue that without drone warfare, the balance of power in the conflict could have shifted dramatically.