In Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, internet and call services have been severely disrupted following a resurgence of fighting between regional forces and the national army. Ethio Telecom, the state-owned telecommunications provider, has completely cut off its services, although the private operator Safaricom continues to function. The internet monitoring organization NetBlocks reported a sub-national internet shutdown in this area.
Duke Burbridge, an American humanitarian worker based in Mekelle, Tigray’s capital, described the loss of telecommunications in an interview with the BBC’s Newsday program. Despite efforts to reach Ethiopian authorities for comments, no official response has been provided. According to Reuters, sources suggest the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) orchestrated the communications blackout, possibly to interfere with government drone operations. However, the TPLF has not issued any statements regarding this.
Challenges of Reporting from the Region
The BBC faces significant challenges in reporting from Tigray and its surrounding areas due to the blackout. Even before this incident, acquiring video and photographic evidence from the region was difficult. Most of the available footage originates from outside Tigray, with limited material directly from the conflict zone.
Cash shortages have plagued Tigray for the past eight months, as people struggle to access ATMs. The internet outage exacerbates these difficulties, impacting those who rely on digital banking and mobile money services. A resident of Mekelle, identified only as Fitsum, confirmed to the BBC that cash is scarce, and the city resembles a curfew zone as people restrict their movements due to the ongoing conflict.
Resurgence of Conflict and International Concerns
The clash between Tigrayan forces allied with other groups and Ethiopia’s federal troops erupted on Wednesday, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war. Reports of panic buying have emerged as tensions escalate. In the nearby Afar region, heavy fighting, including drone strikes, was reported around the town of Abala, with federal forces attempting to block rebel entry. Additionally, skirmishes were noted near Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Amhara region.
The United States has issued travel warnings for Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions due to the volatile situation. The two-year conflict, which concluded in 2022, previously isolated Tigray, leading to severe shortages of cash, food, and medicine, and pushing the region towards famine conditions. The conflict resulted in approximately 600,000 deaths, marking it as one of the deadliest of the century.
Political Alliances and Military Movements
The TPLF recently announced an alliance with six other armed groups aiming to overthrow the current government. On Wednesday, TPLF forces took control of three airports from federal police, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to halt all flights to Tigray.
For further insights on the situation in Tigray, the BBC provides additional resources and updates on their Africa-focused platforms.
