Dual Drone Strikes Hit Mekelle, Wounding 13 in Residential Area

Two drone strikes hit Ethiopia's Tigray regional capital Mekelle in the early hours of Thursday, August 20. The first struck a residential neighborhood in the Hawelti Sub-City (Momona Kebele) near St. Mary Church, and a second hit an area near Mekelle University. Ayder Referral Hospital said 13 people were wounded, including 5 children and 7 women, aged 2 to 60, with 3 in serious condition. TPLF Vice President Amanuel Assefa told AFP the federal government carried out the strikes; Ethiopia's federal army did not immediately comment on the reported attacks. The strikes mark the most direct hit yet on the Tigrayan capital since the Shererina battle reignited ENDF-TPLF fighting on August 1.