Ethiopian military forces overnight blocked an attempt by Tigrayan rebels to capture Abala, a city near the border of the Afar region, according to AFP.

Ethiopian military forces overnight blocked an attempt by Tigrayan rebels to capture Abala, a city near the border of the Afar region, according to AFP.

Phone and internet went dark in Tigray on Friday. The TPLF has ordered private operator Safaricom and state-owned Etio Telecom to cut off access, four people with knowledge of the matter, including a diplomatic source, told Reuters. Netblocks recorded disruptions throughout northern Ethiopia.

The most serious escalation since the 2020-2022 war.