Blasts reported in Addis Ababa as cause remains unclear

Reuters cited three diplomatic sources who reported blasts in Addis Ababa on Wednesday night. An Ethiopian intelligence official told the Associated Press there had been three explosions at different locations. AFP cited sources who placed an explosion at the Ethiopian National Defence Force headquarters, but the number and locations of the blasts remain unclear. [2] [3] [4]

An unnamed source linked to an opposition alliance told Reuters that the alliance had carried out several drone strikes in the capital, including strikes targeting the military headquarters. The cause of the blasts and whether the headquarters was hit remain unclear. AP said military exercises were also a possible explanation. Witnesses cited by Reuters saw no damage near the military base. [2] [3]

The reports come amid renewed fighting between Ethiopian forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front in the north, hundreds of kilometres from Addis Ababa. On Wednesday, Ethiopia’s intelligence service announced an indefinite halt to permits for drone flights over the capital and surrounding area. [2] [4] [5]