Internet and Call Services Disrupted in Ethiopia's Tigray Amid Renewed Fighting

What Happened

Internet and call services provided by state-owned Ethio Telecom were completely cut in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region this week following a fresh outbreak of fighting. The disruption began on Friday, September 25, 2026, according to network data from the internet monitoring group NetBlocks, which posted on X about a 'sub-national internet shutdown'. This communication blackout coincides with intensified clashes between regional forces, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and a newly formed alliance, and the Ethiopian national army. Duke Burbridge, an American humanitarian worker in Mekelle, Tigray's capital, confirmed to the BBC's Newsday programme that 'Last night telecommunications got knocked out'. This development has immediately impacted residents, many of whom rely on mobile money and banking applications for daily transactions, exacerbating an existing scarcity of cash in the region over the past eight months.

The fighting escalated on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with reports of a 'full-blown war' announced by the TPLF, according to Al Jazeera. This marks the most serious escalation since the 2020-2022 civil war. The conflict has reportedly spread beyond Tigray to the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions. The Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, comprising seven armed groups, has publicly committed to removing the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The Tigray Army claims the federal government launched a 'full-scale offensive' involving infantry, mechanised units, and drones, prompting their forces to engage in a 'defensive war'.

What the Evidence Establishes

Evidence from multiple sources establishes that a significant internet and call service disruption occurred in Ethiopia's Tigray region on or around September 25, 2026. NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, detected and reported an 'internet disruption in northern Ethiopia corresponding to reports of a telecoms blackout in Tigray'. This technical observation is corroborated by on-the-ground accounts, such as that of Duke Burbridge, a humanitarian worker in Mekelle, who stated, 'Last night telecommunications got knocked out'. The disruption primarily affects services from the state-owned Ethio Telecom, while services from the private firm Safaricom reportedly remain operational, albeit a much smaller network.

The communication cut coincides with renewed and intensified fighting between federal Ethiopian forces and Tigrayan forces, including the TPLF and a broader 'rebel alliance'. Al Jazeera reported that the TPLF announced a 'full-blown war' against the government, and Abdisalam Balema, a TPLF central committee member, confirmed the situation has become a 'full war'. The conflict has reportedly expanded to the Afar and Amhara regions. The humanitarian impact is immediate and severe, with reports of panic buying and people rushing to stock up on basic supplies and withdraw cash. The previous 2020-2022 civil war saw a total communications blackout and blockade, leading to 'famine-like conditions' for hundreds of thousands, a scenario now feared to be repeating.

Where the Accounts Conflict

While both BBC and Al Jazeera confirm the internet and call service disruptions and renewed fighting in Tigray, there are some differences in the attribution of responsibility for the communication blackout and the precise nature of the 'rebel alliance'. The BBC report states that services 'have been disrupted' and 'completely cut' by Ethio Telecom, implying a consequence of the fighting. However, Al Jazeera, citing the Reuters news agency, reported that 'Tigray’s ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, had ordered private operator Safaricom and state-owned Ethio telecom to cut off access to phone and internet networks in the region'. This suggests an intentional act by Tigrayan forces rather than a collateral effect of conflict, with a source indicating it 'may be part of a tactic to neutralise the advantage of government forces using battlefield drones'.

Furthermore, the description of the opposition to the federal government varies slightly. The BBC refers to 'regional forces' and 'Tigrayan forces and their allies'. Al Jazeera provides more detail, identifying the 'Tigray People’s Liberation Front' and a 'new rebel alliance' which it later names as the 'Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival', stating it comprises 'seven armed groups' committed to removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. The federal government, according to Al Jazeera, has also 'accused Eritrea of financially backing the TPLF and its allies', a claim denied by leaders in Asmara. These differing details highlight the complex and contested narratives surrounding the conflict's instigation and operational tactics.

Context and Stakes

The current escalation in Tigray carries significant historical weight, directly recalling the devastating 2020-2022 civil war that resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths and pushed hundreds of thousands into 'famine-like conditions' due to prolonged blockades and communication blackouts. The memory of Tigray being 'totally cut off from the outside world' during that period fuels immediate fears among residents and humanitarian organizations. The scarcity of cash in Tigray over the past eight months, coupled with the new internet disruption, threatens to severely cripple economic activity and access to essential services, as many rely on mobile banking.

The timing of this renewed conflict is particularly sensitive for international relations. The United States had only recently, this month, lifted sanctions on Ethiopia and Eritrea related to 'atrocities committed during the last civil war', citing that the 'national emergency… has expired'. This new outbreak of violence could complicate Washington's diplomatic efforts and potentially lead to a re-evaluation of its stance. Moreover, the conflict risks drawing in neighboring Eritrea, which the federal government has accused of backing the TPLF. Eritrea's historical tensions with Ethiopia, particularly concerning access to the Red Sea, add another layer of geopolitical complexity, raising the stakes for regional stability beyond Ethiopia's borders.

What to Watch Next

Observers should closely monitor the extent and duration of the communication blackouts. The continued operation of Safaricom's network, albeit smaller, versus the complete shutdown of Ethio Telecom, will indicate whether the disruption is a targeted tactic or a broader consequence of infrastructure damage. Any official statements from the Ethiopian federal government or the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) regarding the communication services will be critical. Specifically, watch for any announcements from Ethio Telecom or Safaricom regarding service restoration or further cuts, as these would directly impact humanitarian access and economic activity.

Further, the international community's response, particularly from the United States, will be a key indicator. Given the recent lifting of sanctions, any re-imposition or new diplomatic pressure from Washington or the African Union would signal a significant shift. The movements of humanitarian aid organizations and their ability to access affected areas will also provide insight into the severity of the situation on the ground. Finally, monitor reports of military engagements in the Afar and Amhara regions; if the conflict consolidates or expands further into these areas, it would confirm a broader regional destabilization beyond Tigray itself, potentially drawing in more regional actors like Eritrea.

Bottom Line

The resurgence of fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region has immediately led to a significant disruption of internet and call services, primarily affecting the state-owned Ethio Telecom network. This communication blackout, coupled with an existing cash scarcity, poses an immediate and severe threat to the civilian population's access to essential services and economic stability. The conflict, involving the Ethiopian federal army and a coalition of Tigrayan forces and other armed groups, has already spread to neighboring regions, signaling a broader escalation than lower-level clashes previously observed.

The current situation mirrors critical aspects of the devastating 2020-2022 civil war, particularly the imposition of communication blackouts and blockades that led to widespread humanitarian crisis. The international community, especially the United States, faces renewed diplomatic challenges, having just lifted sanctions related to the previous conflict. The potential for Eritrea to be drawn into the conflict further elevates the regional geopolitical stakes. The immediate future will reveal whether this escalation leads to a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe and wider regional instability, with communication access and humanitarian aid flows serving as critical early indicators.