ADDIS ABABA — Explosions were heard overnight in Addis Ababa on October 1, 2026. A source linked to the opposition alliance stated the alliance carried out several drone strikes in the capital.

The claimed drone strikes included targets at the military's headquarters in Addis Ababa. A resident estimated hearing an explosion in the Gotera neighbourhood around 00:30 local time.

There were no official reports confirming the cause of the explosions, the exact locations affected, or whether there were any casualties or damage. Spokespeople for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office, the federal government, and the military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Why It Matters

The claim of responsibility by the opposition alliance occurs against a backdrop of escalating violence in northern Ethiopia. Clashes in the region have resulted in casualties and injuries, with medical organizations documenting hundreds of wounded individuals. The formation of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival represents a consolidated opposition to the federal government, involving multiple armed organizations.

The use of drones in attacks on military installations reflects evolving tactics among opposition groups. Recent captures of drone components by both pro-government militias and TPLF forces indicate that access to this technology is expanding. The federal government's response includes indefinite bans on drone flights and enhanced surveillance measures in the capital, reflecting concerns about security threats from armed groups in the north.

Timeline

A prior drone attack on the Harar Meda Air Base in Bishoftu, 35 miles southeast of Addis Ababa, occurred on September 27, 2026, resulting in two deaths and prompting the national intelligence service to impose an indefinite drone flight ban over the capital. A pro-government militia in Tigray stated on Tuesday that it had captured drone frames and batteries from forces linked to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies captured drone frames and batteries from pro-government forces in Tigray on September 30, 2026, indicating growing drone capabilities among opposition groups. The national intelligence service announced on Wednesday a ban on all drone flights over Addis Ababa and its surroundings for an indefinite period.

What's New

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) reported that its air defense systems successfully intercepted and downed the drones used in the October 1, 2026, attack on the military headquarters in Tor Hayloch, as stated by a security source in Addis Ababa. In September 2026, the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service reported a series of attacks on military installations, including the Harar Meda Air Base and Kombolcha Airport, which prompted the drone flight ban in Addis Ababa. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has been designated as a terrorist organization by the Ethiopian government since 2020, following its role in the 2020-2022 conflict.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) documented over 420 wounded individuals at hospitals in Tigray by September 25, 2026, following the escalation of violence in northern Ethiopia, which preceded the October 1 drone strike claims.

On September 20, 2026, seven armed organizations announced the formation of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival in opposition to the federal government. The Addis Ababa Security Service issued a directive in 2026 to enhance surveillance and counter-drone capabilities, citing increased threats from armed groups in the north.