Explosions heard in Ethiopia's capital after drone flights banned

What the report says

Residents and diplomatic sources in Addis Ababa said they heard explosions overnight in Ethiopia’s capital, including in areas near military headquarters in the west and in the south of the city. The reports came just hours after authorities banned drone flights over the capital, and one week after fighting broke out north of Addis Ababa between the national army and a newly formed alliance of armed groups that includes forces from the Tigray region.

A source linked to the opposition fighters told Reuters they were responsible for drone strikes, but BBC reporting says there was no official confirmation of what caused the blasts. People in the city described loud detonations that set off car alarms, with one resident saying he heard an explosion around 00:30 local time in the Gotera area near a security service base. Another resident said he heard a blast in Torhayloch, a western suburb close to the military headquarters.

Authorities including the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the defence ministry and federal and Addis Ababa police had not responded to BBC requests for comment at the time of publication. The reports add to security concerns in the capital as violence in the wider country continues to raise fears of further escalation.