Source: ACLED

ACLED ALERTS: Ethiopia Conflict Live

Track the conflict in Ethiopia with ACLED’s latest data, conflict monitoring and expert insight on key developments as they unfold.

25 September 2026

A map of the new fronts emerging in Ethiopia

25 September
Tekeze front (Wolkayt):

  • Heavy TDF–ENDF fighting took place at May Gaba and Tselimo.
  • Some TDF fighters surrendered in the morning. Reinforcements then kept the fighting going until about 14:00.
  • Wounded fighters were taken to Suhel Shire Hospital and May Hanse Health Center.
  • Amhara and the Tigray–Afar border: Clashes continued along the Tigray–Afar border. In Amhara, fighting was in Gazgibela (Wag Hemra) and in Gidan, Lasta and Raya Kobo (North Wello). ENDF, Tigray Peace Forces, Amhara riot police and militia were fighting the AFNM and TDF.
  • Afar: New fighting was reported around Yallo.
  • Lalibela: Flights were suspended. Fighting was around the town but not inside it.
  • Sheraro: A drone strike hit Hayelom Tabia in Sheraro, near the Adi Abay IDP centre.
  • TPLF arrests: The TPLF arrested senior members at a hotel in Tigray. Reuters reports that veteran commanders who opposed the war were detained, including Tadesse Werede. These may be the same event.
  • Communications: Ethiotelecom has been down in Tigray since 22:00 EAT. Safaricom is reportedly still working.

23 September
Airports: The TDF seized the Mekelle, Aksum and Shire airports.

  • Fronts: Fronts opened at Kobo–Tumuga (with joint TDF–AFNM forces), along Zata–Dinqa–Sekota, and at Tonsa on the Afar border.
  • Clashes on 22–23 September:
    • Wag Hemra: Asketema, Chila, Deguasach, Hamusit.
    • North Wello: Enjafat, Tekulesh and Gidan. A military helicopter was reportedly downed at Lalibela airport; this is unconfirmed.
  • Drone strikes: Strikes hit Mayhanse Tabia (Asgede) and Tselimoy Kushet (Dedebit) in the North Western Zone.
  • ENDF claim: The ENDF says it repelled attacks across seven North Wello localities, killing 272 and wounding 260. The figures are unverified.
  • Defections: The head of the Tigray Police Force and a senior TPLF member defected to the government.

22 September

  • Alamata: Between 15 and 17 drone strikes hit Alamata, including several schools and a hospital. Fatalities among civilians and combatants are unknown. Tigrayan authorities report 14 killed and 22 injured.
  • Afar: Fighting began late in the day in Abala and Erebti, and Tigrayan forces reportedly took Abala.

21 September

  • The Ethiopian Media Authority suspended Tigray TV indefinitely.

20 September

  • Seven armed and political groups announced the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival. Its stated aim is to remove the government.

International summary

24 September
Sudan and the UN:

  • Guterres expressed regret at the US visa delay that kept Burhan from addressing the UNGA.
  • Washington said it had withdrawn recognition of Burhan’s authority after ceasefire efforts collapsed.
  • Guterres warned of regional spillover from Sudan’s war.
  • Ethiopia: The UN and EU called for restraint and a return to the AU-led process.

23 September
 

  • Ethiopia:
    • The UN Secretary-General said he was gravely concerned about the airport seizures and the spread of fighting beyond Tigray.
    • The AU said the seizures were inconsistent with Pretoria.
  • Sudan: More than 3,400 displaced people have reached Tawila, North Darfur, since early September. Food, water and medicine are short.

22 September
 

  • South Sudan: Kiir dissolved the unity government and removed all vice-presidents ahead of elections on 22 December.

21 September
 

  • Sudan: Overnight, SAF drones struck RSF depots, training sites and commanders’ residences in Nyala.
  • Eritrea:
    • Getachew Reda accused Eritrea, backed by Egypt, of using Fano, the OLA and TPLF factions as proxies.
    • Abiy’s spokesperson said the alliance has Eritrean financial backing. Asmara denies this.

20 September
 

  • Sudan: An RSF attack on the Um Bader gold market in North Kordofan killed five and wounded 27. It followed SAF’s largest offensive in the area in months.

18 September
 

  • Eritrea: The US let its 2021 Ethiopia-related national emergency expire, lifting sanctions on Eritrea’s military and ruling party.