Ethiopia restricts internet access as violence flares in Tigray region

Authorities in Ethiopia have imposed restrictions on internet services in the Tigray region after fighting resumed between armed groups, according to multiple reports on Wednesday. The move represents a return to the widespread digital isolation that characterized the prolonged civil war, which lasted approximately two years and displaced millions of residents.

During the height of the conflict, Tigray faced near-total disconnection from global communications networks, preventing residents from accessing news, contacting family members, and conducting essential business. The renewed restrictions suggest heightened tensions in a region still recovering from the effects of prolonged warfare.

Humanitarian organizations have expressed concern about the impact of communication blackouts on civilian populations, particularly regarding access to medical services, emergency assistance, and information about security conditions. The internet restrictions typically accompany military operations and are often used to limit the spread of information about ongoing violence.

Tigray has endured significant infrastructure damage and economic disruption since the conclusion of the main conflict phase. Renewed violence threatens to further destabilize the region and impede reconstruction efforts across the war-affected territory.