Fighting Continues as ENDF Advances Deeper Into Tigray
Fighting continued on September 29 between Ethiopian government troops and Tigray forces and allied Fano insurgents across Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions.
The Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) have reportedly advanced more than 150 kilometres into Tigray, pushing regional forces farther back and advancing toward the regional capital, Mekelle.
On September 29, federal troops captured Niraq, the administrative seat of Abergele district in Waghemra zone of Amhara region. The area had been under the control of Tigray forces and allied Agaw militia for more than five months.
In neighboring Afar region, Tigray forces seized Erebti, a strategically located town. Neither the Federal Government nor the Tigray de facto authorities have provided fresh updates on the territorial gains made by their forces this week.
OCHA Warns Northern Ethiopia Fighting Is Disrupting Humanitarian Operations
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that the deteriorating security situation in northern Ethiopia is disrupting humanitarian operations and restricting access to people in need.
In its latest update, OCHA said humanitarian access has been severely restricted by telecommunications disruptions, flight suspensions and restrictions on key roads. It called on all parties to the conflict to ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations.
Separately, the European Union announced €61 million in humanitarian funding for vulnerable people in Ethiopia affected by conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks and climate-related hazards.
The funding will support emergency food and nutrition assistance, healthcare, protection, shelter and education in emergencies. The EU said humanitarian needs remain particularly high in conflict-affected and difficult-to-access areas of Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Oromia and Tigray.
The EU also expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation in northern Ethiopia and its impact on civilians, calling for immediate de-escalation, protection of civilians and unimpeded humanitarian access.
Tigray Media Group Calls for Investigation Into Drone Strike on Tigray Television
VOX Tigray Journalists and Media, a civil society organization based in Tigray, has called for an independent investigation into the September 27 drone strike on the headquarters of Tigray Television in Mekelle.
In a statement, the organization said the strike caused “significant destruction” and forced the station to halt broadcasting. It accused the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) of carrying out the attack.
The group called on all sides in the ongoing conflict to protect journalists and media personnel and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.
It also called for the immediate restoration of telecommunications services across Tigray, saying the communications blackout is making it difficult for journalists to verify information, seek assistance and report safely.
Four Dassanech Militia Killed in Ethiopia-Kenya Border Clash
At least four Dassanech militia members were killed during an exchange of gunfire with Kenyan border police in Turkana County near the Ethiopia-Kenya border on September 27, raising concerns about possible reprisal attacks.
The confrontation reportedly began after armed Dassanech crossed into the area seeking to avenge earlier casualties. Kenyan police have since intensified patrols along the border.
Local officials said they were engaging their Ethiopian counterparts to address the security situation and prevent further violence.
Armed members of the Dassanech and Turkana communities have frequently clashed over access to water, grazing land and fishing resources around Lake Turkana.
In March, Ethiopian and Kenyan defence authorities agreed to jointly deploy forces along the border to address security challenges, including sporadic cross-border attacks by armed groups. Earlier this week, officials from the two countries also met in Arba Minch to discuss recurring conflict between the two communities in the border areas.
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