分类： world

Ethiopian Airlines has abruptly suspended all passenger flights between Addis Ababa and cities in the northern Tigray region, citing “unplanned circumstances” in text messages to passengers. The suspension comes amid growing concerns about a potential return to conflict, with reports emerging of military clashes in contested territories.

Airport staff in Mekelle, Tigray’s main city, confirmed the flight cancellations after receiving instructions not to report for work. The airline and Ethiopian government have remained silent beyond the initial cancellation notice, offering no further explanation for the sudden suspension of air services.

The development occurs against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), with the 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement showing signs of unraveling. Tensions have escalated particularly around disputed territories in western Tigray, where forces from the neighboring Amhara region maintain control over fertile lands claimed by both regions.

Recent reports indicate clashes between federal forces and Tigrayan fighters in Mai Degusha, a contested area within Tselemti district. Additional military movements have been observed in southern Tigray, raising alarms about potential renewed hostilities.

The situation is further complicated by the upcoming June elections, from which the TPLF has been excluded following the revocation of its political license. The party, which previously dominated Ethiopian politics for two decades, has experienced internal factionalization, adding complexity to an already volatile political landscape.

While air travel remains suspended, ground transportation via buses continues to operate between Addis Ababa and Tigray, though these services may face disruptions following the flight suspensions. The African Union, which brokered the original peace agreement, has not yet commented on the latest developments.

The Tigray conflict, which resulted in an estimated 600,000 fatalities and widespread human rights abuses, had previously displaced approximately one million people from western Tigray. These individuals remain in makeshift camps throughout the region, with their voting status in any potential referendum uncertain.

NAIROBI, Kenya — The United States announced Wednesday the reinstatement of humanitarian assistance to Somalia’s federal government, following a temporary suspension triggered by allegations of aid operations disruption at Mogadishu’s primary port. The decision comes after American officials asserted that Somali authorities had acknowledged responsibility for incidents that compromised World Food Program (WFP) operations earlier this month.

Despite Washington’s declaration that Somalia accepted accountability for the disturbance that led to halted aid distributions, the Somali government had not publicly confirmed this acknowledgment by Wednesday evening. Government officials remained silent when approached by The Associated Press for commentary on the development.

The State Department’s Office of the Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance communicated through social media platform X that the United States would recommence WFP food distribution while maintaining a cautious approach toward broader assistance programs in the Horn of Africa nation. The statement emphasized the administration’s strict policy against “waste, theft, or diversion of U.S. resources.”

The initial suspension on January 7 stemmed from claims that Somali officials demolished a U.S.-funded WFP warehouse and confiscated 75 metric tons of specialized nutritional supplies destined for malnourished children and pregnant women. While WFP confirmed the warehouse demolition, they later reported successful retrieval of the seized provisions without elaborating on recovery details.

Somalia’s Foreign Ministry had previously rejected U.S. allegations, maintaining that port expansion activities did not compromise humanitarian aid custody or distribution mechanisms. The resumption timing for full aid deliveries remains uncertain, with WFP representatives not immediately responding to operational inquiries.

This diplomatic episode occurs against the backdrop of heightened U.S. scrutiny toward Somali refugee and migrant communities, including fraud investigations involving childcare centers in Minnesota and intensified immigration restrictions affecting Somali nationals seeking U.S. entry or residency.

Somalia continues to grapple with extreme poverty, prolonged civil unrest, and recurring natural disasters that have created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, making international aid crucial for population survival.

Niamey, Niger – Heavy gunfire and powerful explosions rocked the vicinity of Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger’s capital during the early hours of Thursday, with air defense systems reportedly engaging unidentified projectiles. The sustained attack near the strategic aviation hub created panic among residents before subsiding approximately two hours after commencement.

Multiple eyewitness accounts and verified video footage depicted anti-aircraft systems intercepting incoming threats in the night sky, though the origin and nature of the projectiles remain unconfirmed. While official casualty figures and damage assessments are pending, government sources indicate the situation has been stabilized without providing specific details.

The airport complex, located merely 10 kilometers from the presidential palace, houses critical military infrastructure including an air force base. This incident occurs amid heightened tensions surrounding a substantial uranium shipment currently stranded at the facility due to ongoing legal and diplomatic disputes with France.

A Foreign Affairs ministry official, speaking to Anadolu news agency on condition of anonymity, stated: ‘The situation is under control. There is no need to worry,’ while acknowledging investigations are underway to determine potential connections between the attack and the contested uranium cargo.

This security breach unfolds under the military governance of General Abdourahamane Tiani, who assumed power through a 2023 coup that deposed the democratically elected government. Niger continues to confront significant security challenges, including jihadist insurgencies affecting the broader Sahel region alongside neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.