Ethiopian Drone Strike Hits School in Northern Tigray, Casualties Reported

An aerial assault by Ethiopian forces struck a school in northern Tigray, damaging the structure and resulting in casualties, according to multiple sources cited by BBC Tigrinya.

Tigrayan military officials reported that three of their combatants were killed instantly and seven were wounded, with several transferred to hospital following the attack on Merewa Secondary School in the Raya Alamata district during a scheduled break.

Regional governor Daniel Tamrat stated that a civilian was killed and four others injured, and that a nearby water‑collection river was also affected; the Ethiopian military has not responded to a BBC request for comment.

Tigray’s political situation has deteriorated further this year, raising concerns that renewed large‑scale hostilities may erupt.

This follows the TPLF’s decision to dismantle the interim administration established under the 2022 Pretoria Agreement and to restore its pre‑war council.

Both parties accuse each other of failing to honor the peace settlement that concluded the 2020‑2022 conflict.

Eritrea, which played a major role in the war alongside Ethiopian forces, has been accused of altering its stance toward Tigray.

Last month, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed informed parliament that the TPLF was coordinating with Eritrea for potential hostilities, a claim that Eritrea rejects.

Monday’s strike, reportedly executed with Turkish drones carrying twelve bombs, targeted the secondary school while Tigrayan forces were present, sources told the BBC; the school was closed for the winter.

The incident sparked panic in Merewa, located approximately 50 km (31 miles) west of Alamata.

Local officials claim that heavy‑weapon attacks have repeatedly struck the plain area, notably near Waja on the Tigray‑Amhara border.

Clashes that began in western Tigray on 1 August between federal and Tigrayan forces have largely subsided but could reignite on other fronts.

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