Mortar shells and other ammunition remnants lie scattered along a road following clashes between Ethiopian federal forces and armed groups opposed to the government in Adigrat on October 17, 2026. AFP.
Addis Ababa: Four people in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, including two children, were killed Wednesday in a drone strike amid clashes between rebels and federal forces, local witnesses reported.
Tigrayan rebels, who have run the region for years, launched an offensive against the federal government last month, but were ultimately forced to retreat and lost control of the state.
Late on Tuesday "a drone strike hit goat traders in Finarwa while they were loading goats onto a vehicle," said a priest living in the area, around 85 kilometres (53 miles) southwest of the Tigrayan capital Mekelle.
"Four people, including two children, died instantly, and another five were injured. I personally wrapped all the deceased for burial," the priest added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Another resident confirmed the toll and events, adding: "We struggled to take the wounded to hospital because there was no ambulance."
AFP has not been able to independently verify the information. Contacted by AFP, the federal army spokesperson had yet to respond.
