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Explosions were reported overnight in Addis Ababa on October 1, 2026, as fighting intensified in northern Ethiopia. The reports did not establish what caused the blasts or whether anyone was hurt; an opposition-linked claim that they were drone strikes remained unverified.

What was reported in Addis Ababa?

The Associated Press cited an intelligence official who confirmed three blasts in three locations overnight. Diplomatic sources and residents also reported explosions, according to AP and Reuters. Those accounts establish that blasts were reported, not what caused them or what damage they may have caused.

APA, citing sources and witnesses, placed reported blasts near the military headquarters in western Addis Ababa and in the south, including Gotera, at about 21:30 GMT. These are attributed accounts, not a verified map of impact sites. Reuters’ report, republished by Internazionale, confirmed overnight blasts but said diplomatic sources provided little detail.

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Were the blasts drone strikes?

That had not been confirmed in the reporting available through October 3. A source linked to the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival told Reuters that the coalition had carried out several drone strikes in Addis Ababa, including against military positions. Reuters said it could not immediately verify the claim.

AP reported that the intelligence official could not say whether the blasts were an attack or training exercises at defense headquarters. The reports also said authorities had banned drone flights in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas hours before the blasts. The timing of that ban does not establish that a drone attack took place.

Were there casualties or damage?

The reviewed reports gave no confirmed casualty count or damage assessment. APA said no casualties or extent of damage had been reported, while AP described the nature of the incident as unclear.

How is the conflict widening in northern Ethiopia?

Reporting by Al Jazeera on October 1 described federal forces advancing from Amhara into Tigray to within about 40 km (25 miles) of Mekelle. The report said Tigrayan forces had withdrawn to new positions, some leaders had reportedly left the city, and thousands of civilians had fled amid fears of clashes. Electricity and internet services in the region were reported cut. These details describe conditions reported at that time, not independently verified current control or a continuing operational picture.

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Al Jazeera described the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival as a coalition of seven armed groups, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and groups from Amhara, Afar, Somali, and Benishangul-Gumuz. The coalition’s stated aim was to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. The Ethiopian government accused neighbouring states of backing the alliance; those states denied the allegations.

Fighting in Afar

Government forces told Reuters they had retaken Erebti and Abaala, but Al Jazeera said the claims were unconfirmed and reported that fighting for the towns was continuing. Al Jazeera also said the situation of more than 80,000 Afar residents reportedly trapped in the area remained uncertain; that figure was not presented as an independently verified humanitarian count.

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What changed between Ethiopia and Eritrea?

On October 1, Ethiopia announced it would close its embassy in Asmara and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave within 48 hours, according to Al Jazeera and AP. Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry accused Eritrea of “direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence against Ethiopia.” Eritrea denied supporting the opposition alliance. The cited reporting does not establish Eritrean involvement in the coalition or the Addis Ababa blasts.

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