Internet and call services have been disrupted in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray following the outbreak of fighting this week between regional forces and the national army. The disruption affects services provided by state-owned telecoms operator Ethio Telecom, although those from the smaller private firm Safaricom remain operational. This development has significantly impacted the region's communication capabilities.
The internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported a sub-national internet shutdown in northern Tigray. A humanitarian worker in Tigray's capital, Mekelle, Duke Burbridge, stated that telecommunications were knocked out, highlighting the severity of the situation. The cause of the disruption is unclear, but sources suggest that the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) may have ordered the communications blackout to disrupt government drones.
The TPLF has not commented on the allegations, and the BBC has been unable to report from Tigray and surrounding areas due to restrictions. Even before the current disruption, finding video and images to establish what is happening on the ground has been a challenge. Most of what has been shared online has been from outside the region, with limited information available from within Tigray.
The scarcity of cash in Tigray has been a significant issue for the past eight months, with people unable to access ATMs. The lack of internet services will be "devastating for everybody," according to Burbridge, as many people rely on banking and mobile money applications for transactions. The majority of users in the region access these services through Ethio Telecom and Safaricom's networks.
Residents in Mekelle, such as Fitsum, have reported that there is almost no cash in the city. With the outbreak of war, people are limiting their movements, and the city is quiet, with a de facto curfew in place. The situation has led to panic buying, and humanitarian sources have reported heavy fighting overnight, including drone strikes, around the town of Abala.
Clashes between Tigrayan forces and their allies and Ethiopia's federal troops have prompted fears of a return to a full-scale civil war. The US has warned against travel to the regions affected by the conflict, including Tigray, Afar, and Amhara. The conflict has significant implications, given the devastating impact of the previous two-year conflict, which resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths.
The TPLF announced an alliance with six other armed groups on Sunday, aiming to oust the government. On Wednesday, its forces seized control of three airports from federal police, leading to the cancellation of all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Tigray. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing fighting and disruptions to essential services, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Key points
- The conflict in Tigray has led to a significant disruption of internet and call services, impacting the region's communication capabilities.
- The scarcity of cash and lack of internet services have severe implications for the local population, who rely heavily on mobile money applications and banking services.
- The conflict has significant implications, given the devastating impact of the previous two-year conflict, which resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths.
