Ethiopia and Tigray blame each other for new offensives and airport seizures

Local officials in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region announced on Thursday that they have taken control of the area’s three main airports—Mekelle, Axum and Adigrat—following a series of drone strikes reported over the past week. The seizure was ordered by the regional security administration, which cited the need to protect critical infrastructure and maintain public safety after the unmanned attacks caused damage to runway surfaces and surrounding facilities.

Authorities said the drone incidents, which were attributed to unidentified aerial vehicles, prompted an urgent response to prevent further disruption of air traffic and humanitarian aid deliveries. Security forces have deployed personnel to secure the airfields, conduct inspections, and coordinate with the federal Ministry of Transport to assess repair requirements. Regional spokesperson Getachew Tadesse emphasized that the move aims to ensure the airports remain operational for civilian use and to deter any future unauthorized flights. The government has called for an investigation into the origins of the drone strikes while urging neighboring states to respect Ethiopia’s sovereignty and support stability in the conflict‑affected region.