UN expresses deep concern as clashes escalate in Ethiopia’s northern regions

NEW YORK, 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

The United Nations expressed grave concern on Friday regarding the rapid deterioration of security in northern Ethiopia, warning that fighting is spreading across multiple fronts and severely disrupting humanitarian operations.

He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and address their differences through dialogue, emphasizing the urgency of de-escalating a crisis that threatens to return the country to the state of full-scale war that erupted in the Tigray region in 2020.

The current escalation marks a significant reversal of the peace established in November 2022, a deal brokered under African Union mediation that ended the 2020–2022 Tigray war. That conflict began after political tensions between Ethiopia's federal government and the region's former ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), erupted into fighting between government troops and Tigrayan militia in November 2020. Eritrean forces joined the government's side, and the conflict spread into neighboring regions.

The UN documented widespread atrocities and warned of famine-like conditions before the war ended two years later. Although the UN welcomed the 2022 peace deal, it had continued to flag slow progress on implementation as a risk to the fragile peace, a risk that has now materialized with this week's escalation.

Secretary-General António Guterres is following developments closely and continues to engage with leaders in New York in a bid to de-escalate the growing crisis. According to Dujarric, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Guang Cong, is engaging with national and regional interlocutors. He is coordinating closely with partners, including the African Union and the regional intergovernmental body IGAD, to support a resumption of dialogue under the 2022 accord.

The diplomatic efforts aim to prevent the conflict from spiraling back into the comprehensive war that devastated the region previously.

The humanitarian impact of the renewed fighting is already severe. The UN aid coordination office (OCHA) stated that the escalation risks adding to already substantial needs, particularly among civilians displaced by previous fighting in Tigray. The region is also experiencing below-average rainfall linked to the El Niño weather pattern, a condition that promises to exacerbate already extreme weather conditions worldwide.

This combination of conflict and climate stress creates a compounding crisis for vulnerable populations who rely on consistent aid delivery.

Insecurity is directly impeding relief efforts. Dujarric noted that road closures have paused or displaced planned humanitarian movements. Operations in parts of the Amhara region face significant constraints, including the seizure of humanitarian vehicles by armed groups. The UN stressed that all parties must ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian partners to reach those in need, wherever they are.

Despite these challenges, the UN and its partners are continuing regular humanitarian operations where security allows, in Tigray as well as the northern regions of Amhara and Afar, while assessing emergency needs.

Specific incidents of violence have been documented in the past week. Dujarric reported that on Sunday, a drone strike in northwestern Tigray hit a truck carrying food assistance for internally displaced people. This incident highlights the increasing danger to both aid workers and civilians.

The use of drones, specifically mentioned by the spokesperson as a source of particular trouble, indicates a shift in the nature of the conflict, with advanced weaponry being deployed in areas previously characterized by ground-based militia and government troop engagements.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, issued a strong statement on Friday, saying he was deeply alarmed by the escalation. He urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and avoid a return to full-scale war. Türk cited specific violations of international humanitarian law, stating that reported airstrikes hit five schools in Tigray on 22 September. He noted that a mortar strike two days later killed civilians in Kobo, Amhara.

These attacks underscore the severity of the situation and the immediate threat to civilian life and infrastructure.

The disruption extends to essential services, with news reports indicating that internet and call services have been largely cut across the Tigray region. This communication blackout is particularly damaging given that many residents rely on banking and mobile transactions due to a lack of access to cash and bank ATMs.

The severing of digital connectivity isolates the population, hampers coordination for aid, and disrupts economic activity in a region already struggling with the aftermath of the previous war. The UN’s continued engagement with regional bodies and its insistence on dialogue reflect the international community's effort to contain the crisis before it spreads further across the Horn of Africa.