52 Civilians Killed, Over 700 Injured in Ethiopia Clashes

At least 52 civilians have been killed during three days of intense fighting around Alamata in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, according to hospital sources.

More than 700 wounded people have also been admitted to hospitals supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) across Tigray in recent days, highlighting the scale of the renewed violence.

Government forces appear to have taken control of Alamata from regional fighters and are preparing to advance north towards Mekelle, the capital of Tigray. Videos circulating on social media show army tanks and armoured vehicles on the streets of Alamata.

The latest clashes erupted last week after months of rising tensions between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which controls the region. Both sides have accused each other of violating the 2022 agreement that ended a two-year civil war.

Fighting spreads beyond Tigray

The violence has also affected neighbouring areas, including the Amhara region, where 33 tourists have been stranded in the historic town of Lalibela for about a week.

A British tourist in Lalibela reported hearing fighting, gunfire and heavy artillery during the week. The town, famous for its 13th-century rock-hewn churches, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important pilgrimage destination for Orthodox Christians.

Commercial flights from Lalibela were suspended last Wednesday, leaving most tourists unable to leave. Fourteen Israeli tourists were evacuated by military helicopter on Monday, while others have left in organised convoys.

Fighting around Lalibela has involved Ethiopian government forces and an Amhara militia that has allied with Tigrayan fighters. Earlier this month, the militia joined several other armed groups to form a seven-member alliance that declared its intention to remove the government in Addis Ababa.

There are also concerns that neighbouring Eritrea could become involved in the renewed conflict. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting armed groups, but Asmara has denied the allegation.

Both sides blame each other

Independent verification of developments in Tigray has been difficult because communications in the region have been disrupted and journalists have limited access.

The TPLF says it launched attacks in response to a federal offensive, including drone strikes. The Ethiopian government, however, says Tigrayan forces initiated the latest fighting after taking control of airports in the region.

TPLF forces have also been involved in fighting in the Afar region, a strategically important area connecting landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti and its ports.

The renewed fighting follows the breakdown of the relative calm established by the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement. Recent clashes have raised international concerns that Ethiopia could slide back into a broader conflict.

Heavy civilian casualties

A doctor at Alamata General Hospital said fighting in and around the town took place from Saturday to Monday and involved heavy explosives and artillery. Some strikes reportedly hit residential areas.

The doctor said those killed included children as young as three days old, women and cattle herders. Twelve people were reportedly killed in a single strike on a market in the town.

MSF said more than 700 wounded people had been admitted to hospitals it supports across Tigray in recent days. The figure reflects casualties treated across the region rather than only in Alamata.

The renewed fighting has placed further pressure on an already fragile humanitarian situation. Residents fleeing surrounding areas have been arriving in Alamata, while essential services have been disrupted.

Banking and communications disrupted

Banking services in Tigray have been suspended since the fighting began, while internet and telephone connections have also been disrupted. It remains unclear who ordered the shutdowns.

A source in Alamata said people fleeing nearby fighting were arriving in the town on foot, hoping to find safety. However, banking, money-transfer, electricity, internet and telephone services were reportedly unavailable.

The disruption is also affecting Tigrayans living outside the region. Some customers said bank accounts opened in Tigray had been frozen or placed under restrictions.

The Tigray Broadcasting Service has launched an initiative to help families separated by the communications blackout. It plans to collect video messages through Telegram and broadcast them via satellite television.

Tourists remain stranded

Lalibela has also been affected by the wider conflict. When commercial flights were suspended, 53 tourists were in the town. Some have since been evacuated, including 14 Israelis who were flown out by military helicopter.

Those still stranded include citizens of the United States, Israel, Britain, South Korea and South Africa, as well as dual Ethiopian-New Zealand nationals and a Mexican citizen.

A British tourist said conditions in Lalibela had become somewhat calmer over the previous two days, although the airport remained under military use. There were indications that commercial flights could resume soon, but uncertainty remained because of the continuing security situation.

The renewed fighting has revived fears of a return to the kind of large-scale conflict that devastated Tigray between 2020 and 2022. The latest escalation is also raising concerns about a wider regional confrontation involving Amhara, Afar and potentially Eritrea.