Tigray Internet Disruption Reported Amid Renewed Fighting

NetBlocks reported on September 24-25, 2026 a subnational internet disruption in northern Ethiopia corresponding to reports of a telecoms blackout in Tigray. It stated: "Confirmed: Network data indicate a subnational disruption in northern Ethiopia corresponding to reports of a telecoms blackout in Tigray." The outage came as the TPLF declared a "full-blown war," seized airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire, and clashed with forces near Abala in Afar and in North Wollo of Amhara, including around Lalibela. Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Tigray on September 23. Samuel Gebreslassie, a Mekelle spice shop worker, told AFP there is "panic in the community" and "deep fear that banks, telecom networks, electricity and basic goods could be cut off again." A humanitarian source cited "heavy fighting overnight" near Abala and said "The federal forces pushed the rebels from entering the town." The TPLF aligned with six other armed groups. The U.S. embassy said it was "disappointed to see the leadership of the TPLF... launch a large-scale offensive" after sanctions were lifted this month as the "national emergency... has expired." The cause of the outage was not established. Ethio Telecom was reported to have cut service in Tigray while Safaricom Ethiopia continued. The 2020-2022 war killed an estimated 600,000 people, with around one million still displaced. The ENDF said 272 Tigrayan fighters were killed in North Wollo, a figure Kulu Media did not verify.