Drone strike reported near Tigray’s capital Mekelle as tensions rise in the region

Mekelle, Tigray (Wegahta) - A drone strike near Mekelle, the capital of Tigray region, killed one person and wounded another Tuesday, according to a report by the BBC citing local administration and eyewitnesses, as tensions between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front threaten to undermine the fragile pretoria peace agreement.

The strike occurred at about 9:30 a.m. in Dandera village, in the Kedamay Weyane locality of Quiha, Enderta district, about 12 kilometers from the regional capital, Mekelle, according to eyewitnesses and the local administration who spoke with the BBC

The Ethiopian military however has not publicly commented on the attack or said whether its forces carried it out.

The drone strike is the latest in a series of reported drone attacks and armed clashes in Tigray in recent weeks, raising concerns among residents that the region could again slide into a wider conflict less than four years after a peace agreement ended a devastating two-year war.

The reported strike is significant not only because of the casualties but also because of where it occurred. Dandera village, near Quiha, lies just about 12 kilometers from Mekelle, putting the reported attack close to Tigray’s political and administrative centre. A drone attack this close to Mekelle could therefore heighten concerns that the recent military tensions are spreading beyond remote border areas.

The local administration told BBC that one person was killed and another wounded due to the drone strike however details about what was targeted and overall damaged were not immediately clear and the Ethiopian military has not publicly acknowledged the attack or said whether it was responsible.

For residents in Tigray, the reported strike carries an added significance. The return of reported drone activity near the city is likely to revive fears of a broader escalation, particularly as political tensions between the federal government and the TPLF have intensified in recent months.

Drone strikes and clashes signal worsening tensions

The reported strike near Mekelle comes amid a broader deterioration in Tigray, where allegations of drone attacks have coincided with reports of renewed fighting between the federal government forces and Tigrayan forces.

In recent weeks, Tigrayan authorities have reported drone strikes in parts of Tigray, including the Merewa area of Raya Alamata. The reports of drone use have been accompanied by accounts of ground fighting.

Earlier this month, clashes were reported in western Tigray near the Sudanese border, with the TPLF accusing federal forces of launching an offensive and federal government officials accusing Tigrayan forces of provoking and threatening the fragile peace. Reports from the area also indicated the use of heavy weapons, including heavy artillery and drones.

The recent incidents are significant because they suggest that the deterioration is not confined to a single flashpoint. Fighting and reported air attacks have been recorded across different parts of Tigray, while the political dispute between Addis Ababa and the TPLF has continued to deepen.

The pattern is also significant in light of the region’s recent history. Drones and artillery were extensively used during the 2020-2022 war, which ended with the Pretoria peace agreement. The return of similar weapons alongside renewed ground clashes has therefore heightened fears that localised confrontations could develop into a broader conflict.

The latest fighting remains considerably smaller than the previous war, and there has been no clear indication that either side has launched a full-scale offensive. But the combination of military activity and a deteriorating political relationship has increased concern over whether the 2022 peace agreement can continue to contain the tensions.