Fresh fighting erupts in Ethiopia's Tigray as internet is cut off

Clashes between Tigray forces and the federal military have renewed civil war fears, with communications cut off and combat reported near Lalibela.

• Fighting broke out Wednesday between Tigray regional forces and the Ethiopian federal military, including drone strikes around Abala town, a humanitarian source said.
• Internet services were cut across Tigray, with Reuters sources saying the TPLF ordered the disruption to disable government drones.
• The TPLF declared an alliance with six armed groups to overthrow the government and seized three airports previously held by federal police.
• Army Chief of Staff said armed groups cannot confront Ethiopia without foreign support, accusing the Tigray front of pushing the country toward a new war.
• The new coalition comprises seven armed groups, including the Amhara Fano National Movement and the Oromo Liberation Army, seeking to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
• The renewed fighting threatens to collapse the 2022 peace agreement that ended Ethiopia's two-year civil war.
• Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Berhanu Jula pledged to handle the escalating northern tensions with restraint.
• Berhanu Jula accused Eritrea of funding armed groups to weaken Ethiopia, a claim Eritrea denied.
• Fighting spread from Tigray into the neighboring regions of Afar and Amhara.