At least eight people were killed in a drone strike on a displacement camp in Ethiopia’s Tigray region on Sunday, according to local sources. The attack targeted an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Sheraro, located in western Tigray, which houses thousands of civilians uprooted during previous conflicts.

An aid worker reported that the strike resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including a child, and left six others seriously injured. A witness, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the casualties as including a mother along with four of her children and a grandson, in addition to three other victims. Verification of the incident remains challenging due to restrictions on media access to the area and ongoing communication blackouts.

The drone strike coincides with sustained military operations following a resurgence of hostilities in the region. Fighting between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a rebel group, and Ethiopian federal forces erupted on September 23, raising concerns about a renewed civil conflict reminiscent of the widespread violence that affected the region between 2020 and 2022. The recent escalation also poses risks of broader regional instability.

In the Tigrayan capital, Mekelle, the situation remains tense. Federal forces have taken control of the city after TPLF leaders and fighters withdrew. Despite the change in control, public services remain disrupted, with banks and petrol stations closed two days after the handover, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian and security challenges facing the region.

Efforts by humanitarian organizations to provide aid to displaced populations are complicated by security concerns and restricted access. The situation in Tigray remains fluid, with a significant impact on civilians who have already endured years of conflict and displacement.