Tigray region plunged into internet and phone blackout amid renewed fighting
Internet and phone services were cut in Ethiopia's Tigray region after fresh clashes between federal forces and the TPLF, disrupting communications.
Renewed hostilities between Ethiopia’s federal army and the Tigray People’s one outlet Front triggered a communications shutdown in the northern Tigray region on Friday. According to four sources, the TPLF instructed private operator Safaricom and state-owned Ethio telecom to block phone and internet services, a move aimed at limiting the government’s drone advantage. Network monitors verified the outage, and locals said mobile money transfers stopped and connectivity became spotty.
The disruption echoes the severe restrictions imposed during the 2020-22 conflict, which contributed to famine-like conditions. The fighting also saw TPLF forces seize three airports and launch attacks in Afar and Amhara, raising regional stability concerns. International bodies such as the UN and EU have called for restraint and a return to the AU-brokered peace process.
Why it matters
Cutting communications hampers civilians’ access to aid, money and information, worsening the humanitarian crisis in a volatile war zone.
How this story developed
- Sep 18 Around 300 Tigray fighters surrender as tensions rise along the Tekeze corridor
- Sep 23 Ethiopian Airlines posted a flight suspension following the reported airport seizure.
- Sep 25 Federal forces and TPLF fighters clashed in Afar while a telecom blackout hit Tigray.
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