Explosions Ring Out Across Addis Ababa Amid Drone Ban

Thu Oct 01 2026 14:25:01 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Several blasts were heard overnight in Ethiopia’s capital after the government outlawed drone flights, stirring fears amid a widening conflict between the army and new armed groups.

Even after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s decree banning drones over Addis Ababa, residents reported two loud explosions late at night, one near the western military headquarters and another in the south of the city. The incidents came just hours after the ban and a week following fighting erupted in the north between the Ethiopian army and a coalition of rebel forces from Tigray. While local residents claim the sounds could have been drone strikes, official sources have yet to confirm the cause, timing, or any casualties. The Ethiopian government and security forces remain unresponsive to enquiries, leaving the situation murky. PulseWire continues to monitor developments and crowd‑source eyewitness accounts for updates.

Explosions ring out across Addis Ababa amid drone ban

A series of loud blasts were heard overnight in Ethiopia’s capital, with reports of explosions in the western suburb of Torhayloch near the military headquarters and another in the south around the Gotera neighbourhood. Residents say the sounds were so intense that they set off car alarms and filled the city with a sense of unease.

The incidents followed the government’s sudden decree banning all drone flights over Addis Ababa, a move that came after the outbreak of fighting in the north between the Ethiopian army and a newly formed coalition of rebel groups including forces from the Tigray region. According to a source linked to the opposition fighters, the blasts were the result of intentional drone strikes.

One eyewitness told BBC Amharic that the explosion in the south occurred around 00:30 local time (21:30 GMT). Another resident in the western suburb described being with friends playing games when the loud boom startled them.

So far, the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s office, the defence ministry, and police forces in Addis Ababa have declined to comment. No official reports have confirmed the cause, precise locations, or whether there were any casualties or property damage.

While the air remains tense, the city’s residents and diplomatic community are on high alert, awaiting further clarifications. We continue to gather and verify eyewitness accounts to keep you updated on the unfolding situation.

Map of Ethiopia showing Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions and the capital, Addis Ababa

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