**Fighting in Northern Ethiopia Spurs Fears of Blackout and Blockade**
*Published on September 25, 2026*
Tensions are escalating in northern Ethiopia as fighting intensifies between the federal military and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) along with its allies. Reports indicate that communications networks in the region have been disrupted, raising concerns of a potential blackout reminiscent of the civil war that occurred from 2020 to 2022.
On Friday, telecom and internet services were reported to have ceased functioning in parts of Tigray, coinciding with an upsurge in hostilities. The situation has prompted fears that the region may once again be cut off from the outside world, similar to the severe isolation experienced during the previous conflict, which resulted in widespread famine and humanitarian crises.
Monitoring organization NetBlocks confirmed an "internet disruption in northern Ethiopia," aligning with reports of a telecom blackout in Tigray. The TPLF has reportedly instructed private telecom operator Safaricom and the state-owned Ethio telecom to halt services in the region. Analysts suggest that these restrictions may aim to limit the federal government’s operational capabilities, particularly its use of drones in military engagements.
The recent escalation follows a period of lower-level clashes that have persisted for some time. However, the situation has dramatically worsened this week as fighting spread beyond Tigray into the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions. This surge in violence coincides with the formation of a coalition of seven armed groups, known as the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, which has declared its intent to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.
The Tigray Army has characterized the federal government’s actions as a "full-scale offensive," deploying infantry, mechanized units, and drones against TPLF forces. In response, TPLF officials have initiated what they describe as a defensive war to counter the government's aggression. The coalition forces have reportedly seized control of three airports and launched attacks against federal troops in the Afar and Amhara regions.
The federal government has accused Eritrea of supporting the TPLF and its allies financially, a claim that Eritrean officials have denied. Abdisalam Balema, a member of the TPLF's central committee, stated that the current situation marks a transition into "full war," indicating a significant escalation in the conflict.
This resurgence of violence is alarming, particularly given the historical context of the previous civil war, which resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths and left Tigray in dire humanitarian conditions due to a telecommunications blackout and supply blockades. In anticipation of worsening conditions, residents in Tigray have begun stockpiling essential goods and withdrawing cash in preparation for potential shortages.
The renewed conflict poses challenges for the international community, particularly the United States, which recently lifted sanctions on Ethiopia and Eritrea related to atrocities committed during the last civil war. The U.S. government had previously stated that the "national emergency... has expired," but the current situation raises concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for renewed humanitarian crises.
As the conflict unfolds, there are fears that it could draw in neighboring Eritrea, which is wary of Ethiopia's military intentions, particularly regarding access to the strategically important Red Sea. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further escalation as both sides prepare for continued hostilities.
The international community is closely monitoring developments in northern Ethiopia, with calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution to prevent a return to the devastating conditions experienced during the previous civil war.