Explosions heard overnight in Addis Ababa; opposition alliance claims drone strikes
Three diplomatic sources told Reuters explosions were heard overnight in Addis Ababa. A source linked to the opposition alliance claimed drone strikes, which Reuters could not verify.
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The story, neutrally told
Explosions were heard overnight in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, according to three diplomatic sources who spoke to Reuters. The Straits TimesRC “Explosions were heard overnight in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, three diplomatic sources told Reuters.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ The Jerusalem PostRC “Explosions were heard overnight in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, three diplomatic sources told Reuters.” Read at The Jerusalem Post ↗ A source linked to the opposition alliance fighting federal forces in northern Ethiopia said the alliance carried out several drone strikes in the city, some aimed at the military's headquarters. The Straits TimesRC “said the alliance had carried out several drone strikes in Addis Ababa, including some targeting the military's headquarters there.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Reuters could not independently verify that claim. The Straits TimesRC “Reuters could not independently verify the claim.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ The Jerusalem PostRC “Reuters could not independently verify the claim.” Read at The Jerusalem Post ↗
If confirmed, it would be the first known drone attack by anti-government forces on the capital. The Straits TimesRC “If confirmed, the strikes would mark the first known drone attack by anti-government forces on the Ethiopian capital.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Spokespeople for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office, the federal government and the military had not responded to requests for comment. The Straits TimesRC “Spokespeople for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office, the federal government and the military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ The alliance has been fighting federal forces since last week, in clashes described as the biggest escalation of violence since the 2020-2022 civil war ended. The Straits TimesRC “Last week's clashes in northern Ethiopia were the biggest escalation of violence in Ethiopia since the end of a 2020-2022 civil war.” Read at The Straits Times ↗
On Wednesday the national intelligence service banned all drone flights over Addis Ababa and its surroundings indefinitely, citing security. The Jerusalem PostRC “The national intelligence service announced on Wednesday that it was banning, for an indefinite period, all drone flights over Addis Ababa and its surroundings for security reasons.” Read at The Jerusalem Post ↗ The alliance was not previously known to use armed drones, though there is growing evidence it may have some drone capability. On Tuesday a pro-government militia in Tigray said it had captured drone frames and batteries from forces linked to the TPLF, a claim Reuters also could not verify. The Straits TimesRC “On Tuesday, a pro-government militia in the northern region of Tigray said it had captured drone frames and batteries from forces linked to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), one of the alliance's main members.” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
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Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets carry Reuters copy. The Straits Times keeps the wire's cautious headline on the explosions and diplomatic sources. The Jerusalem Post's own headline puts the alliance's drone-strike claim first, with 'reportedly' as the hedge.
- Emphasis
- The unverified alliance claim, the possible first drone attack on the capital, and the drone ban.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No government or military account, since none had responded. No casualty or damage details.
- Charged language
- “anti-govmt. alliance”
- For example
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“Explosions heard overnight in Ethiopia's capital, diplomatic sources say” — The Straits Times
“Explosions reportedly heard in Ethiopian capital following drone strikes by anti-govmt. alliance” — The Jerusalem Post
What every side reports
- Three diplomatic sources told Reuters explosions were heard overnight in Addis Ababa.
- The alliance-linked drone-strike claim is unverified.
- The federal government, prime minister's office and military had not commented.
- Drone flights over Addis Ababa were banned on Wednesday.
Where accounts differ
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Cause of the explosions
- Right
- An alliance-linked source claims drone strikes, including on military headquarters; Reuters could not verify this. The Jerusalem Post's headline links the explosions to the strikes, while the Straits Times headline does not.
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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The Straits TimesRC · · via Reuters
Explosions heard overnight in Ethiopia's capital, diplomatic sources say
Neutral Reuters copy led by diplomatic sources hearing explosions, with the alliance's drone claim flagged as unverified.
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Explosions reportedly heard in Ethiopian capital following drone strikes by anti-govmt. alliance
Neutral Same Reuters text, but the headline presents the alliance's drone strikes as the cause of the explosions despite the body saying the claim is unverified.
- 1 Oct 09:08 First The Straits TimesRC Explosions heard overnight in Ethiopia's capital, diplomatic sources say via Reuters
- 1 Oct 09:20 +12m The Jerusalem PostRC Explosions reportedly heard in Ethiopian capital following drone strikes by anti-govmt. alliance
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.