Internet Disruption Reported in Tigray Amid Renewed Conflict

A web monitor reported an internet disruption in northern Ethiopia amid renewed fighting between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government. Access to the internet has been disrupted in northern Ethiopia's Tigray region, according to the web monitor NetBlocks, which reported the situation on Friday. The region has experienced renewed hostilities this week, which have shattered a 2022 peace deal between Ethiopia and the TPLF militia. During the 2020-2022 Tigray war, the region was largely cut off from the outside world, resulting in famine-like conditions for hundreds of thousands of people. NetBlocks confirmed, "Network data indicate a subnational disruption in northern Ethiopia corresponding to reports of a telecoms blackout in Tigray." The cause of the disruption was not immediately clear. The Reuters news agency cited Tigray residents who reported panic buying, leading to empty shop shelves. A local resident told the AFP news agency, "There is deep fear that banks, telecom networks, electricity and basic goods could be cut off again," adding that there was "panic in the community." The TPLF took control of regional airports in Tigray earlier this week and clashed with government forces in the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions. The militia stated it was now in "full-blown war" with Addis Ababa. The group has also formed an anti-government alliance with the Fano militia in Amhara and five other armed groups. During the 2022-2023 war, Fano fought alongside the federal government against the Tigrayan rebels. The TPLF ruled Ethiopia from 1991 to 2018 and was later sidelined with the rise of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.