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The US Embassy in Addis Ababa issued a security alert on October 30 saying the situation in northern Ethiopia may change at any time. It tells Americans not to travel to the Tigray, Amhara or Afar regions, and says those already there should leave if it is safe to do so.
The embassy says fighting in Tigray appears concentrated in the Central Tigray Zone and in remote areas near the Eritrean border. Flights remain suspended at the Axum and Shire airports, and travelers are advised to contact airlines directly for updates. The alert also warns that some social media accounts are spreading false or misleading reports, and recommends checking several reliable sources.
Ethiopia remains under a Level 3 travel advisory, which asks Americans to reconsider travel. The Amhara warning covers Lalibela, and the Afar warning singles out northern Afar. The embassy also advises avoiding Ethiopian military installations and enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for security updates.
The alert follows several weeks of rapid change on the ground. Al Jazeera reported on October 22 that Ethiopian federal forces and allied fighters retook the regional capital, Mekelle, on October 4. On October 16, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a six-month caretaker administration for Tigray, with tasks that include restoring public services and preparing for elections. The Tigray People's Liberation Front opposes the federal advance.
Inside Mekelle, shops are reopening and banks are resuming services. Residents remain cautious. "People are worried because we know what war means for this area," said Gebrehiwot, a resident of Zalambessa, near the border.
The border is the other pressure point. On October 8, Ethiopia's foreign minister, Gedion Timothewos, accused Eritrea of sending troops up to 60 km (37 miles) into Tigray and asked the UN Security Council to respond. Eritrea denied invading and said the accusations amounted to a declaration of war.
Al Jazeera also cited an AP report of a commander's claim that Eritrean troops entered the town of Adigrat. The AP could not verify it. On October 13, Reuters reported that Ethiopian government forces had advanced into Zalambessa, though it was unclear whether Eritrean troops or Tigrayan fighters remained there.
The US alert gives no specific dates or times for incidents. It applies to the three regions as a whole, and it comes with the Level 3 advisory for the rest of the country still in place.
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