One person was killed and another injured in drone strikes in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region on Saturday, according to a senior Tigrayan official and a humanitarian worker, signaling an intensification of tensions between regional and national forces following recent clashes.
The incident adds to fears that violence could widen after fighting earlier this week in disputed areas of western Tigray.
The drone strikes hit two Isuzu trucks near the towns of Enticho and Gendebta, located about 20 kilometers apart, the senior Tigrayan official said.
A humanitarian worker confirmed that the strikes occurred, and both sources requested anonymity.
The official said the Ethiopian National Defence Force carried out the strikes but did not provide evidence, and the military did not respond to requests for comment.
It was not immediately clear what the trucks were transporting.
TPLF-affiliated outlet Dimtsi Weyane posted images it said showed the damaged vehicles and reported they were carrying food and cooking items.
Pro-government activists on social media claimed the trucks were transporting weapons.
The strikes followed reports of fighting earlier in the week between regional and national forces in western Tigray, a territory long disputed since the end of the civil war.
The Tigray conflict formally ended with a peace pact in November 2022, but disagreements have persisted over contested territories and the delayed disarmament of Tigrayan forces.
Tensions have also focused on the presence of troops from the neighboring Amhara region and Eritrea in parts of Tigray, which regional officials say violates the agreement.
Earlier this week, Ethiopian Airlines canceled flights to Tigray, prompting residents to rush to withdraw cash from banks amid uncertainty.
The region is facing additional strain from reduced humanitarian funding, with aid organizations warning that most of the population requires emergency support.
On Friday, African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf urged all sides to “exercise maximum restraint” and resolve disputes through dialogue, emphasizing the importance of preserving the 2022 cessation of hostilities agreement.