Tigray residents describe impact of Ethiopian drone campaign

Adigrat, situated in northern Tigray close to the Eritrean frontier, has experienced repeated drone strikes attributed to Ethiopian military operations. Residents interviewed described a pattern of aerial bombardment that has intensified amid the broader hostilities engulfing the region since 2020.

The use of unmanned aircraft represents an escalation in military tactics employed during the conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. Civilians in affected areas report limited warning of strikes and widespread destruction of both civilian and military infrastructure.

Ethiopia's military has justified its aerial campaign as necessary to counter armed opposition groups operating in Tigray. However, humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about civilian casualties and the targeting of non-military sites, including health facilities and markets.

The conflict has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with access for aid organizations remaining restricted in many areas. International calls for ceasefire and dialogue between the Ethiopian government and Tigray People's Liberation Front have so far yielded limited results, leaving residents to navigate ongoing insecurity and economic collapse.

Local authorities have struggled to provide adequate emergency services and shelter for displaced persons, while accounts from survivors highlight the psychological toll of sustained aerial bombardment on civilian populations.