In Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, the resurgence of conflict between regional forces and the national army has resulted in significant disruptions to communication services. Internet and call services provided by state-owned Ethio Telecom have been completely cut. However, services from the smaller private firm Safaricom are reportedly still operational. This telecommunications blackout coincides with reports of heavy fighting, drawing attention to the ongoing humanitarian crises exacerbated by current and previous conflicts in the region.
There are unconfirmed claims suggesting that the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) may have ordered the communication shutdown to interrupt government military activities, though they have not officially commented on this matter. Tigray has experienced communication blackouts before; during the two-year civil war that ended in 2022, the region was cut off from the outside world, which contributed to severe humanitarian consequences, including hundreds of thousands of deaths and famine-like conditions according to estimates.
Residents on the ground in Tigray are facing increased fear and frustration. A scarcity of cash has been a persistent problem for the past eight months, worsened by the internet shutdown. Many people rely on online banking and mobile payment applications, which are now inaccessible, exacerbating their daily struggles. A local resident described Mekelle, Tigray's capital, as resembling a city under curfew due to the outbreak of fighting.
The renewed hostilities raise concerns about the possibility of a return to full-scale civil war. There have been reports of panic buying and intensified conflicts, including drone strikes in areas like Afar. Furthermore, there are unverified reports that TPLF forces have initiated attacks in regions such as Amhara and Afar, leading to significant disruptions.
International concerns about the situation in Tigray continue to grow. The recent communication blackout, combined with the humanitarian implications of the renewed violence, has drawn global attention, although concrete information is limited due to the communication restrictions in the area. The BBC has contacted Ethiopian authorities for comments, but obtaining clear information about the situation in Tigray remains challenging without firsthand reports.