An explosion has rocked the headquarters of Ethiopia’s National Defence Force (ENDF) in Addis Ababa, as heavy fighting between government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) intensifies in northern Ethiopia.
Diplomatic and security sources said the blast occurred between midnight and 1am local time in the Tor Hayloch area of the capital on Thursday.
The sources could not immediately establish the nature of the explosion, identify those responsible or provide information on possible casualties.
If confirmed as an attack linked to the TPLF or other rebel forces, the incident would mark a rare targeting of Addis Ababa amid renewed fighting in the country.
“The explosion took place at the HQ and was powerful. It shook the surrounding area and triggered significant panic among people in the vicinity,” a worker at a nearby bar told AFP, citing colleagues who were working at the time.
“There were a few minutes of disturbing sounds followed by an explosion,” a resident said.
The office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the army spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The incident comes as Ethiopia faces renewed conflict after heavy fighting broke out on September 23 between government forces and the TPLF, raising concerns about a possible return to the devastating 2020–2022 civil war, which killed an estimated 600,000 people.
Abiy is due to be sworn in for a new term on Monday after winning the June elections, while several armed groups have formed an alliance against his government.
On Wednesday, Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Services ordered a ban on all drone flights around Addis Ababa.
Conflict monitor ACLED said drones believed to be linked to the anti-government alliance targeted military and civilian airports in Oromia and Amhara states on Sunday.
Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed or wounded since the latest fighting erupted, with clashes continuing on several fronts.
The TPLF had launched attacks into neighbouring Afar and Amhara states alongside local militias, although government-aligned forces appeared to have regained some ground on Thursday.
A humanitarian source told AFP that TPLF fighters had been pushed out of Erebti in Afar, which they captured earlier in the week, and were now engaged in fighting near the mountainous border between Afar and Tigray.
A pro-government militia also claimed on X that its forces had retaken Erebti and Maychew in southern Tigray.
Residents previously interviewed by AFP said Maychew had come under heavy shelling.
Independent verification of developments remains difficult because journalists have been restricted from travelling to affected areas and communications have been severely disrupted.
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