A New War in Ethiopia: The Risk of Another Communications Blackout

Repeating History in Tigray

For those of us who have covered conflict zones, the signs are unmistakable. As fighting flares again in northern Ethiopia, we're witnessing a repeat of what occurred during the brutal 2020-2022 civil war—a period that claimed an estimated 600,000 lives and left entire regions cut off from the outside world.

Just as in the past, today's violence has triggered fears of a communications blackout. Internet and telecom services have stopped functioning across Tigray, raising alarms that we're heading down the same dangerous path. In a matter of hours, people were suddenly cut off from the rest of the world—unable to communicate with family, access vital information, or even report on what was happening around them.

"This is not just about war—it's about control. It's about silencing voices," I've heard from aid workers and journalists who've lived through similar situations in other conflict zones.

This isn't just a technical issue. It's a strategic weapon. When governments cut off telecoms, they're effectively taking away the ability of citizens to organize, resist, or even know what's happening around them. It's an attack on human dignity.

The Tactics Behind the Silence

Reports from the field indicate that the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), along with its allies, has taken steps to restrict access to telecommunications networks. The decision to cut off phone and internet services is not just a logistical move—it's calculated.

We're learning that one of the reasons for this disruption may be to neutralize the advantage held by government forces using battlefield drones. When you can't communicate, when you can't transmit data or coordinates, it significantly weakens an opponent's ability to respond effectively.

This is the kind of maneuver that makes a conflict even more deadly and unpredictable. It turns a battle into a war of information warfare—a digital version of siege mentality, where the population becomes a prisoner of silence.

The Alliance That's Changing Everything

What makes this situation particularly alarming is the emergence of a powerful alliance among seven armed groups. The Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival (EPFAS) has united forces against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, pledging to oust him from power.

This alliance has already taken control of three airports and launched attacks in Afar and Amhara regions—extending the conflict beyond Tigray. It's not just a regional rebellion anymore; it's a nationwide challenge to the Ethiopian government's authority.

The Ethiopian Army has responded with force, reporting over 270 Tigrayan fighters killed. But even more troubling is that Eritrea may be involved—though officially denied by Asmara, there are credible claims of financial support from the neighboring country.

This raises the stakes further. If Eritrea becomes directly involved in this conflict, it could open up a new front entirely, one that would have implications not just for Ethiopia but for regional stability and global diplomacy as well.

The Human Cost: Where Are the Civilians?

What strikes me most about these developments is how quickly the civilian population is caught in the crossfire. People are rushing to buy food, water, and cash—because they know that if access to services stops, they may not be able to get back in.

I remember seeing similar scenes during the earlier conflict when Tigray was sealed off. Families were left without medical supplies or humanitarian aid for months, with reports of mass starvation and disease outbreaks. That wasn't just a tragedy—it was a failure of global governance.

This time around, we're in a different political landscape. The U.S. just lifted sanctions related to the previous war—meaning it may not be as quick to respond now. And yet, this is exactly the kind of crisis that requires international attention and intervention.

Can the World Prevent Another Tragedy?

The parallels between this moment and the 2020-2022 war are too clear to ignore. The same tactics—telecom blackouts, supply blockades, and the strategic use of information control—are reappearing.

What I fear most is that we'll be watching from the sidelines again. That this time, no one will speak up when the silence begins. We have a responsibility to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself—but for that to happen, the world must act now.

In the coming days and weeks, we'll need to monitor the flow of information—and the lack thereof—as well as track humanitarian aid efforts, if any are still permitted. If this becomes a prolonged siege, it will be another chapter in a tragic story that many thought had ended.

This is not just about war—it's about survival. And when we lose access to communication, we lose our ability to protect ourselves.

• Did you know? In the last civil war, over 200,000 people died of malnutrition alone due to supply blockades.
• Another statistic: During the height of the blackout, over 60% of Tigray's population had no access to mobile networks or internet.
• The UN estimates that at least 15 million people across Ethiopia need humanitarian assistance today—many still in isolated regions like Tigray.