The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) says Ethiopian federal forces have carried out a drone strike targeting its fighters near the border between Tigray and Afar. The group claims the attack caused damage but did not provide details. There has been no independent verification of the incident.

The reported strike comes two days after the Afar regional government said the TPLF had captured six villages in the region.

In a statement released on Friday evening, the TPLF said the strike caused casualties among its fighters and civilians in the area. The group accused the federal government of violating the Pretoria peace agreement and warned that the attack endangered ongoing efforts to stabilise the region.
Witnesses quoted by the BBC said the strike occurred at around 03:00 local time (just after midnight GMT) near a military camp known as Milka.

While the TPLF’s statement mentioned only “damage,” an anonymous military official quoted by the BBC said the strike caused only minor casualties and did not result in significant destruction.

The TPLF has accused the Ethiopian government of organizing and arming militants in the Afar region, saying the move is aimed at destroying Tigray and creating divisions among its people. The group also alleges that the government is using these militants to spark further conflict and is involved in a wide-ranging effort to mislead the international community.