UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has warned that renewed fighting between Ethiopian government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and its allies is already causing serious harm to civilians.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, airstrikes by the Ethiopian National Defence Force reportedly hit five schools in Tigray on 22 September 2026, causing deaths and injuries, while a mortar strike in Kobo, Amhara, reportedly caused further civilian fatalities the following day.
Türk called on all parties to de-escalate urgently and prevent the country from returning to full-scale war, stressing their obligation to protect civilians and permit safe, unhindered humanitarian access.
Communications have reportedly been disrupted in Mekelle and parts of Amhara, roads blocked in areas of Afar, and commercial air travel affected after the TPLF took control of airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire.
The High Commissioner cautioned that internet and telecommunications outages can prevent civilians from finding safety and obstruct humanitarian workers attempting to reach communities in need.
He also condemned reported forced recruitment by the TPLF, including the recruitment of children, as well as allegations of killings, torture, arbitrary detention, displacement and reprisals against people resisting recruitment; arbitrary conscription by government forces has also been reported.
The warning follows the formation of a seven-group armed opposition alliance and fresh clashes in northern Ethiopia, developments that have intensified fears that the 2022 peace settlement could unravel.
References
- UN Human Rights Office statement, 25 September 2026
- National Tribune reproduction of the OHCHR statement
- Reuters reporting on Ethiopia’s armed opposition alliance
- Associated Press reporting on the renewed Ethiopian crisis