[Ethiopia: Civilians Face Increased Risks as Fighting Intensifies in Tigray Region
As hostilities continue to expand across northern Ethiopia, civilians are being caught in the crossfire between competing forces. Minimal information is surfacing from the region due to widespread disruption of internet access and other communications.
DW spoke with witnesses whose testimonies highlight a disturbing rise in civilian casualties.
A 22-year-old resident of Selnwha recounted how her family was hiding at home when heavy weaponity unleashed a barrage on their house.
“I have lost six family members,” she said. “Those who survived the attack, including the wounded, are currently confined to their homes.”
“They have no access to medical facilities or vehicles, and the nearest treatment center is far away.”
Strategic town of Alamata reported taken by ENDF
According to local residents, several violent incidents have occurred in recent days, particularly along the border between the Tigray and Amhara regions, with additional reports of civilians being killed by artillery fire.
The overall tactical situation on the ground remains difficult to assess, with both rebel and federal forces making advances in various areas.
DW obtained information from a source in Tigray indicating that the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is advancing toward the regional capital, Mekelle. This constitutes the nation’s official military force.
Tigrayan forces are allegedly defending key towns, including Mekoni and Maychew in southern Tigray, according to an anonymous source speaking on restricted grounds.
The strategic situation on the ground remains challenging to gauge, with conflicting reports suggesting advances by both the federal and rebel armies.
DW received intelligence from a source in Tigray stating that the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is gradually moving towards the regional capital, Mekelle. This is the central government’s primary armed component.
Enforcing resistance, Tigrayan battalions are described as engaging to defend municipalities such as Mekoni and Maychew in southern Tigray, sharing details under strict conditions of confidentiality.
The emergence of a new rebel alliance reshapes the Tigray conflict
The new rebel alliance transforming the Tigray conflict
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DW learned from a source within Tigray that the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is progressing closer to the regional capital, Mekelle. This organization functions as the recognized armed component of the government.
Opposing factions, especially Tigrayan troops, claim they are defending alternate locales, including Mekoni and Maychew in southwestern Tigray, as relayed in a sealed briefing.
Earlier declarations from insurgent factions outlined a coalition aimed at toppling Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration. Unexpectedly, this entity subsequently incorporated the Amhara Fano National Movement—previously supportive of federal authorities—only to pivot support toward confronting the federal government.
Concurrently, both the federal government and Tigrayan command structures assert responsibility for precipitating the current flare‑up, each projecting a defensive posture.
The new rebel alliance transforming the Tigray conflict
Inconsistent reports indicate that between 162,000 and 600,000 people perished in the extreme conflicts spanning 2020‑2022, a war centered on the political autonomy of the northern region of Tigray.
The cessation of hostilities came in November 2022 through the Pretoria Agreement, which obligated the TPLF to organize disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of its combatants while recognizing the constitutional authority of the federal system.
Essential duties remained unfulfilled and persistent disputes lingered, including contested territory status, the repatriation of displaced individuals, and full demobilization of the former enemy forces.
Parallel crises unfolded as intra‑TPLF power struggles resulted in a hardline cohort led by Debretsion Gebremichael consolidating rule in Tigray, thereby worsening relations with Addis Ababa.
The TPLF reactivated the pre‑war regional council for Tigray, an action interpreted by the federal government as a violation of the Pretoria compact.
Intense tension eventually manifested in recurring engagements between opposing sides beginning in August 2026.
Locals contend that governmental arsenals have been purposefully aimed at civilian populations.
“These strikes appear to serve as reprisals targeting Alamata’s inhabitants,” stated a surviving community elder of forty years.
“Militiamembers informed us that government forces had opened fire upon us,” added another male resident of age fifty‑five.
“The ambushes were calibrated to maximize civilian fatalities during morning market openings, when crowds congregate outdoors,” he further explained.
At the Saturday market in Alamata, eleven persons were slain and fifteen sustained injuries, according to his firsthand account supplied to DW.
The deterioration of Ethiopia’s fragile peace accord
The gruesome 2020‑2022 engagement—commonly estimated at 162,000 to 600,000 fatalities—originated from contending demands over the self‑determination of northern Tigray.
Formal ceasefire negotiations concluded in November 2022 under the Pretoria Treaty, specifying TPLF commitments to disband, de‑commission, and reintegrate its soldiers while ceding constitutional primacy to the federation.
Substantial guarantees escaped implementation, and fundamental disagreements persisted regarding contested zones, the safe return of displaced civilians, and the complete dismantlement of Tigrayan ranks.
A schism within the TPLF produced a dominant faction under Debretsion Gebremichael assuming control in Tigray, further fracturing rapport with Addis Ababa.
The party revived its former regional governing council, a maneuver deemed contrary to the Pretoria arrangements.
Escalating friction climaxed when renewed skirmishes erupted between TPLF and federal units starting in August 2026.
Entities such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have extracted only approximately one hundred and sixty civilians from the conflict zone, comprising police officers, airline workers, and African Union envoys.
Compromised access to vital services, systemic infrastructure damage, and paralyzed transportation routes have prompted warnings that resident welfare is compromised not only in Tigray but throughout northern Ethiopia.
Amdegebreal Admassu, a lawyer specializing in political and legal domains within Ethiopia, communicated to DW that he has processed reports of combatants assaulting public premises, spanning health centers, educational institutions, and faith sites.
“Incidents emerge where such establishments—serving simultaneously as refuge—are unintentionally hit or deliberately targeted,” he observed.
“Under both customary international law and Ethiopia’s domestic statutes, such conduct qualifies as violations of collective justice mechanisms,” Admasse clarified further.
Mebrihi Birhane, executive assistant directing Human Rights First Ethiopia, stressed that countless civilian facilities endured prior damage throughout the previous conflict cycle.
“Communities require steadfast access to fundamental necessities even amid conflict; guaranteeing this duty rests on all belligerents operating in the theater,” he affirmed.
Simultaneously, rising inflation mirrors broader supply chain disruptions, pressuring Tigrayan households that have previously avoided direct bombardment.
Latest assessments indicate that ENDF operatives have encroached into the Afar corridor, demonstrating control over sites near Erebti.
Analysts deem this step potentially intended to threaten Ethiopia’s principal trade artery—a vital logistic pathway for import‑export commerce and an economic lifeline for the nation.
The ongoing confrontation carries risk of spillover beyond Ethiopia’s shores, as Prime Minister Abiy accuses neighboring states of aligning with opposite camps while bolstering insurgent actors.
— Multiple DW correspondents contributed to this feature.
— Editorial note: Edited by Sertan Sanderson