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 was reported by internet monitoring group NetBlocks, which posted on X that network data indicated a sub-national internet shutdown in northern Tigray. State-owned telecoms operator Ethio Telecom has completely cut its services, while those from smaller private firm Safaricom remain operational.
The fighting broke out on Wednesday between Tigrayan forces and their allies and Ethiopia's federal troops, prompting fears of a return to a full-scale civil war and reports of panic buying. A humanitarian source in the neighbouring region of Afar told the AFP news agency there was "heavy fighting overnight", including drone strikes, around the town of Abala in the mountains between Afar and Tigray. The US has warned against travel to all three regions.
The disruption of internet services has exacerbated the scarcity of cash in Tigray, with people unable to access ATMs and relying on banking and mobile money applications for transactions. Duke Burbridge, an American humanitarian worker in Tigray's capital, Mekelle, told the BBC's Newsday programme that the lack of internet services would be "devastating for everybody". Many people in the region rely on Ethio Telecom and Safaricom's networks to access these services.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which controls Tigray, has not commented on the disruption of internet services. However, sources have told the Reuters news agency that the TPLF ordered the communications blackout, with one suggesting it was to disrupt government drones. The TPLF announced an alliance with six other armed groups on Sunday to oust the government.
The conflict in Tigray has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people pushed into famine-like conditions during the two-year conflict that ended in 2022. Estimates suggest that some 600,000 people died as the fighting drove the region to the precipice of famine. The seizure of three airports from federal police by TPLF forces on Wednesday prompted Ethiopian Airlines to cancel all flights to Tigray.
The situation in Tigray remains volatile, with reports of fighting near the town of Lalibela in the Amhara region, a UN World Heritage site. The conflict has also led to a scarcity of cash in the region, with a Mekelle resident telling the BBC that "there is almost no cash" in the city. People are limiting their movements, and the city is quiet, with a curfew-like atmosphere.
The international community has expressed concern over the conflict, with the US warning against travel to the region. The Ethiopian government has not commented on the situation, but the authorities have been contacted by the BBC for comment. The conflict has significant implications for the region, and the disruption of internet services has made it challenging to establish what is happening on the ground.
Key points
- The conflict in Tigray has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people pushed into famine-like conditions.
- The disruption of internet services has exacerbated the scarcity of cash in Tigray, with people unable to access ATMs and relying on banking and mobile money applications for transactions.
- The TPLF has announced an alliance with six other armed groups to oust the government, prompting fears of a return to full-scale civil war.
