Ethiopia drone strike in north kills three, Tigray sources say

What Happened

The Ethiopian military conducted a drone strike on Merewa Secondary School in Raya Alamata district, Tigray, on a holiday break, according to multiple sources. Tigrayan military sources said three of their fighters were killed instantly and seven were taken to hospital. District governor Daniel Tamrat claimed one civilian was killed and four others wounded, adding that a nearby river where people fetch water was also hit. The Ethiopian army has not commented on the strike, which reportedly involved Turkish drones dropping 12 bombs and caused panic in Merewa, 50 km west of Alamata town. The attack occurs amid heightened political tensions: the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) removed the interim administration established under the Pretoria Agreement, reinstating its pre-war council, and both sides accuse each other of failing to implement the 2022 peace deal. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently alleged the TPLF was preparing for war in collaboration with Eritrea, which Eritrea denies. Fighting that broke out in western Tigray on 1 August between federal forces and Tigrayan forces has subsided but could reignite.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The strike underscores the fragility of the Pretoria Agreement and the risk of full-scale conflict resuming in Tigray. It follows the TPLF's rejection of the interim administration and mutual accusations of deal violations, with Eritrea's shifting role adding further complexity. The use of Turkish drones by federal forces in the contested Raya Alamata area signals a potential escalation that could draw in Amhara and Eritrean actors, destabilizing northern Ethiopia.

Watch For

Whether the Ethiopian military acknowledges the strike and offers justification; any retaliatory actions by Tigrayan forces, especially near the Tigray-Amhara border where fighting flared on 1 August; further statements from the TPLF and federal government on the re-established pre-war council and peace implementation; Eritrea's response to Abiy's allegations of TPLF collaboration.