At Least 25 Civilians Killed in Drone Strikes Across Northern Ethiopia

At least 25 civilians have been killed in a series of drone attacks across northern Ethiopia, with displaced families and residents among the victims, according to eyewitness accounts and medical sources cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The attacks, which began on Thursday and continued into Friday, targeted locations in the Amhara and Tigray regions, where Ethiopian government forces have been engaged in renewed fighting with armed groups.

The reported deaths have raised fresh concerns about civilian safety as the Ethiopian military increasingly relies on drone operations in its campaign against rebel forces.

Drone Strikes Hit Displacement Camp in Amhara

In the Amhara region, witnesses reported that four consecutive drone strikes hit a camp housing internally displaced people on Thursday.

The camp is located approximately 400 kilometres northeast of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

A witness identified as Yasin, who requested anonymity, told AFP that 14 people were buried at the displacement centre, while two others died later while receiving medical treatment.

Children and pregnant women were reportedly among those killed.

Two other residents provided separate accounts of the casualties, reporting 14 and 15 deaths respectively. One of the witnesses said he had personally helped bury victims.

The attacks reportedly occurred as students were returning home from school.

Ahmed, another witness, described the destruction and the loss suffered by his family.

"My sister-in-law was killed, and we couldn't even find her body because it was dismembered," he told AFP.

The reported attacks have heightened fears among displaced communities already living under difficult humanitarian conditions.

Another Drone Attack Kills Civilians in Tigray

A separate drone attack in the Tigray region on Friday reportedly killed at least 11 people after a grain-carrying vehicle was struck twice.

According to a local resident who spoke to AFP, a private vehicle transporting sorghum was hit by a drone at approximately 9 p.m. on Thursday in the centre of Rama town.

The following morning, residents gathered to collect grain scattered around the damaged vehicle when another drone strike hit the area.

A medical source at a local hospital confirmed that 11 bodies had been received following the attack.

The conflict monitoring organisation ACLED reported that the strike was believed to have been carried out by the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), killing 12 civilians and injuring an unspecified number of people.

The differing casualty figures reflect the difficulty of independently establishing the full impact of attacks in conflict-affected areas.

One local resident described the incident as particularly distressing because civilians, including young people, were affected.

"It was very sad and shocking. There was another drone strike yesterday targeted armed fighters, and that did not surprise us. But today's attack was heartbreaking because it hit young civilians," the resident said.

Ethiopian Government Faces Questions Over Civilian Casualties

The reported attacks have renewed concerns about the use of military drones in populated areas and the potential risks to civilians.

Ethiopian government forces have been using drones as part of their military operations against armed groups in Amhara and Tigray.

The government has been accused of carrying out indiscriminate attacks that have resulted in civilian deaths.

However, the Ethiopian army had not responded to requests for comment from AFP regarding the latest reported strikes at the time of publication.

Independent verification of the circumstances surrounding the attacks and the exact number of casualties remains difficult because of the security situation in the affected areas.

Renewed Fighting Between Ethiopian Forces and Rebels

The latest violence comes amid escalating tensions between Ethiopia's federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

The TPLF launched attacks against federal forces last month, triggering renewed military operations in the northern region.

Government forces subsequently pushed the rebels back, forcing them to abandon control of several strongholds.

The TPLF has also established alliances with other insurgent groups operating in different parts of Ethiopia, including the Fano movement in Amhara.

The growing cooperation between armed groups has complicated the security situation, with fighting spreading across multiple northern areas.

Tensions Raise Fears of Wider Regional Conflict

The renewed fighting has also raised concerns about the possibility of a broader regional confrontation involving neighbouring Eritrea.

Ethiopian government forces have reportedly advanced towards the Eritrean border, while Eritrean troops have been reported to be supporting the TPLF.

The developments have heightened regional security concerns, particularly given the history of conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Any escalation involving the two neighbouring countries could further destabilise the Horn of Africa, a region already facing multiple security and humanitarian challenges.

Civilians Face Growing Humanitarian Risks

The latest drone attacks have added to the difficulties facing civilians in northern Ethiopia, particularly families displaced by ongoing fighting.

The reported deaths of children, pregnant women and other displaced residents have highlighted the vulnerability of communities living near conflict zones.

As military operations continue, concerns remain over access to humanitarian assistance, civilian protection and the safety of people living in affected areas.

With the Ethiopian army yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations, questions remain about the circumstances of the attacks and measures being taken to protect civilians.

For thousands of residents in Amhara and Tigray, the immediate concern remains escaping the violence and securing basic necessities amid renewed instability.