By Oromia News Agency

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — In a significant escalation of military operations, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have reportedly deployed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and combat drones to strike convoys belonging to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) Army 70. The strikes, which occurred near the town of Shererina, targeted the unit after it attacked government positions in the area.

The aerial operation represents a notable intensification of Ethiopia’s use of drone technology in its ongoing conflict with Tigrayan forces. According to reports, the strikes also targeted trucks transporting ammunition, inflicting heavy damage on the extremist forces .

The Strategic Deployment of Drone Warfare

The use of combat drones and UAVs by the ENDF marks a significant shift in the military tactics employed in the conflict. Unmanned aerial vehicles offer several strategic advantages over traditional air power—they are more precise, reduce the risk to pilots, and can operate in challenging terrain with sustained surveillance capabilities.

The reported targeting of ammunition convoys is particularly significant. Supply lines are the lifeblood of any military operation, and disrupting them can severely degrade an adversary’s ability to sustain combat operations. By striking ammunition trucks, the ENDF is attempting to weaken the TPLF’s logistical capacity and limit its ability to resupply its forces for future offensives.

The strikes near Shererina are also strategically important due to the location’s proximity to key transportation routes. Shererina is situated near the border between the Amhara and Tigray regions, an area that has seen significant military activity throughout the conflict. Control over these routes is essential for moving troops, equipment, and supplies, making them high-value targets for both sides.

The Context of Escalation

This latest aerial operation comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions in northern Ethiopia. The conflict between the Ethiopian government and TPLF forces has seen numerous cycles of violence, ceasefires, and renewed fighting. The use of drones by the ENDF is not new—there have been previous reports of drone strikes against TPLF positions since the conflict began in late 2020—but the scale and precision of the reported strikes indicate a growing reliance on this technology.

The decision to deploy combat drones also reflects Ethiopia’s expanding military capabilities. In recent years, the Ethiopian government has sought to diversify its sources of military equipment and technology, including through partnerships with countries such as Turkey, China, and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey’s Bayraktar drones, in particular, have been widely used in conflicts in Libya, Syria, and Nagorno-Karabakh, and their presence in Ethiopia has been reported by multiple sources.

A Pattern of Escalation

This reported attack aligns with a broader pattern of increasing military activity near Ethiopia’s borders, with regional actors testing their capabilities and resolving grievances in ways that could raise the stakes for all of Ethiopia’s conflicts . Recent months have seen a rise in airstrikes near Ethiopian territory, including SAF drone strikes on RSF fighters in Kurmuk and SSPDF strikes on SPLA-IO forces in Akobo .

The risks associated with this escalation are becoming harder to ignore. Ethiopia is already managing pressure from northern tensions and the risk of renewed TPLF/TDF conflict. Escalation along the Sudan or South Sudan borders would further stretch the ENDF, weaken response capacity elsewhere, and create openings for domestic armed groups such as OLA and Fano . For local communities, the primary risks are sudden movement restrictions, cross-border fire, refugee inflows, militia incursions, and disrupted humanitarian access .

The Human Cost

While military analysts often focus on the strategic implications of such strikes, the human cost is equally significant. The conflict in northern Ethiopia has already resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced millions of people, and created a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions. Each new escalation brings with it the risk of further civilian casualties and displacement.

The precise impact of the reported drone strikes on local populations near Shererina remains unclear. However, the use of aerial bombardment in populated areas raises serious concerns about civilian safety. Both the Ethiopian government and the TPLF have been accused of human rights abuses during the conflict, and international observers have called for independent investigations into alleged violations.

A Broader Regional Context

The conflict in Tigray does not occur in isolation. It is part of a broader pattern of instability in the Horn of Africa, a region characterised by ethnic tensions, political rivalries, and competition for resources. The involvement of external actors, including the UAE and Turkey, has further complicated the situation.

Moreover, the ENDF’s operations in Tigray have broader implications for Ethiopia’s federal structure and ethnic politics. The conflict has exacerbated tensions between Ethiopia’s various ethnic groups and raised questions about the viability of the country’s federal system. The reported drone strikes near Shererina are not just a military operation; they are a reflection of deeper political and ethnic fault lines that continue to divide the country.

Conclusion: A Dangerous Precedent

The reported deployment of UAVs and combat drones by the ENDF to strike TPLF convoys near Shererina marks a significant moment in the conflict. It signals the Ethiopian government’s determination to use advanced military technology to pursue its objectives, even as it expands the conflict’s reach and intensifies its violence.

However, the use of drones also carries risks. It may provoke retaliatory actions from the TPLF, further escalate the conflict, and draw in external actors who have vested interests in the region. It may also accelerate the militarisation of the region, making a peaceful resolution increasingly difficult.

As the conflict continues, the international community faces a growing imperative to engage in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and bring an end to the violence. The people of Ethiopia, particularly those in Tigray and other affected regions, have already suffered too much.

This is a developing story. More details are expected to emerge as the situation unfolds.

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