Residents in Ethiopia’s Tigray region stocked up on food, withdrew cash and sought essentials on Thursday, fearing renewed fighting could trigger another major war. Tigrayan forces seized three local airports and launched attacks in Afar and Amhara this week.
Addis Ababa accused the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of launching an offensive and described the airport seizures as a premeditated assault on civilian infrastructure. TPLF leaders said their actions were defensive, alleging federal forces attacked with drones, artillery and ground troops. Ethiopia’s government said dialogue remained open to groups that lay down their arms.
The UN and EU called for restraint and a return to the African Union-brokered peace process that ended the 2020–22 war, which killed hundreds of thousands. Residents told Reuters that goods were harder to find or afford, medicines were scarce and costly, and young people were being forced into the war effort. A Mekelle resident feared siege-like conditions: during the previous war, communications were cut and access to food, cash and medicines was severely restricted, leaving hundreds of thousands in famine-like conditions.
