In a development that will surprise absolutely no one who's been paying attention, Ethiopia's government and the party controlling the northern region of Tigray are once again pointing fingers at each other, each accusing the other of launching offensives. It's like a dysfunctional couple's therapy session, except with drone strikes and a death toll that could fill a mid-sized city.
Getachew Reda, a cabinet minister and adviser to Ethiopia's prime minister - because nothing says 'unity' like a guy who switched sides - said Tigrayan fighters had taken control of federally administered airports in Tigray and launched offensives in neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions. Earlier, the Tigrayan authorities said their forces had been forced to enter a "defensive war." Because nothing says 'defensive' like seizing airports and launching offensives. The statement followed reports of drone strikes in Tigray, which is the geopolitical equivalent of 'he hit me first.'
The two-year war in Tigray ended in 2022, but over recent months both sides have been accusing each other of violating a peace deal. It's like they signed a ceasefire agreement and then immediately started planning the sequel.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Ethiopian President Taye Astike Selassie said his country had shown "immense restraint" in its actions despite "interference in our internal affairs by adversarial elements." He didn't specify who those elements were, but we're guessing it's the same mysterious 'they' that keeps stealing socks from the dryer. He added: "Our message to forces of destruction and mayhem is loud and clear. We urge them to respect the sacred right of the people of the Horn of Africa to live in peace and prosperity." Because nothing says 'peace and prosperity' like a fresh round of accusations and drone strikes.
It was one of the most deadly conflicts this century - the African Union's mediator estimated some 600,000 people died as the fighting drove the region to the precipice of famine. That's roughly the population of a major city, just to put it in perspective.
On Sunday, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the party that runs Tigray, announced an alliance with six other armed groups in Ethiopia to remove the government in Addis Ababa. Because if at first you don't succeed, form a rebel coalition.
"It is rather heartbreaking to learn that, despite efforts by many, including the international community, to avoid yet another round of war in Tigray, the TPLF leadership early this morning launched an all-out offensive against government positions in Afar and Amhara," Getachew said in a statement shared on social media. The adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed previously led Tigray's interim administration, but he fell out with the TPLF in 2025 and joined the federal government. So, you know, no bias there.
Following the seizure of the airports, Ethiopian Airlines has cancelled all flights to Tigray. Because when in doubt, ground the planes.
Residents of Tigray's main city of Mekelle told the BBC that local forces had taken over control of the city's airport from the national police early on Wednesday. This followed reports of drone strikes in Tigray in recent days. It's like a game of Risk, but with real people and real consequences.
The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has called for an "immediate de-escalation" and for both sides to resume talks. Because nothing says 'de-escalation' like accusing each other of launching offensives.
The US ambassador to Ethiopia condemned the TPLF for making "the poor decision to launch a large-scale offensive," describing it as an "unwinnable fight." Because if there's one thing the US knows, it's unwinnable fights.
On Tuesday, a strike in the southern town of Alamata killed at least 14 people and injured 22 others, according to the Tigrayan authorities. The town's mayor, Mogos Shiferaw, told the BBC that more than five drones and one fighter jet had carried out more than 21 strikes starting at around 03:30. "This caused a lot of psychological trauma in our city and our people were in a state of panic," he said. Because nothing says 'good morning' like a drone strike at 3:30 AM.
Mogos said all those killed and injured were civilians, accusing federal forces of targeting two secondary schools. He believed they were struck on suspicion that they were being used by Tigrayan forces. But the mayor said the schools, which had served as federal military bases during the civil war, were unoccupied as the academic year had not yet begun. So, you know, either a tragic mistake or a convenient excuse. The BBC has not independently verified the allegations and the government has not commented on the alleged strikes. Because why comment when you can just ignore it?
On Wednesday, the Tigray authorities accused Addis Ababa of launching an "open invasion" of the region, urging people to support the regional forces and maintain unity. It further accused the government of violating international humanitarian and human rights laws, saying public services and critical infrastructure had been disrupted. Because if you're going to accuse someone of war crimes, you might as well go all in.
Meanwhile, the US State Department's Bureau of African Affairs has condemned a separate drone strike that it said took place on Monday, targeting a convoy of Catholic vehicles carrying food aid. It called for an investigation and urged all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and take steps to prevent similar incidents. Because nothing says 'dialogue' like a drone strike on a food aid convoy.
Both Addis Ababa and TPLF leaders have faced criticism over delays in implementing key provisions of the Pretoria Agreement, the AU-brokered deal that formally ended the conflict in November 2022. In July, Prime Minister Abiy accused the TPLF of preparing for renewed conflict during an address to parliament. Just before the general election in May, which was not held in Tigray because of the security situation, the TPLF restored its pre-war administration, disbanding an interim one appointed by Abiy. There have also been reports that the TPLF has been forcibly recruiting young men to join its forces. Because nothing says 'peace deal' like forced conscription.
And if you're wondering whether this is all leading to another full-scale war, the answer is: probably. But hey, at least the international community is expressing concern. That's always helpful.