An explosion rocked the Ethiopian army’s headquarters overnight in the capital, Addis Ababa, sources told AFP on Thursday (October 1, 2026), while pro-government forces said they had pushed back rebel troops in the north.
The explosion at the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) headquarters in the Tor Hayloch area of Addis Ababa happened between midnight and 1:00a.m. local time, diplomatic and security sources said. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is due to be sworn in for a new term on Monday (October 5, 2026) after winning elections in June, but faces conflict on multiple fronts as several armed groups have formed an alliance against him.
A pro-government militia posted on X that they had retaken Erebti, as well as Maychew town in southern Tigray. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it had already registered more than 420 wounded at Korem and Alamata hospitals in Tigray by September 25, and more than 300 at Shire in western Tigray, while the humanitarian source estimated that tens of thousands have fled their homes in Afar.
Locals interviewed by AFP earlier this week said Maychew had endured heavy shelling. Conflict monitor ACLED said drones suspected to be linked to the anti-government alliance targeted army and civilian airports in Oromia and Amhara states on Sunday.
Neither the Prime Minister’s office nor the army spokesperson responded to requests for comment.
