Daily record · 26 Sep 2026
Ethiopia war, 26 Sep 2026: what happened
9 reports on 26 Sep 2026: 9 independently verified, 0 claimed by a party. 1 drone or air strikes, 1 changes of control, 218 people reported killed.
Changes of control
Drone and air strikes
- 26 Sep 20261
Drone strike · Bishoftu town, East Shewa, Oromia
Two small drones exploded inside the Ethiopian Air Force base in Bishoftu overnight on 26-27 September, killing a senior pilot and injuring two others, according to sources; unverified social media posts linked it to the Alliance for Survival.
All reports of the day
- 26 Sep 20269
Statement · Unknown place
Flight tracking shows Vise Air IL-76TD cargo aircraft 7Q-VAF (callsign V92033) flying from Al Reef Airbase in Abu Dhabi towards Ethiopia on 26 September, likely bound for Bole International Airport or Harar Meda Airbase according to the monitor.
Battle · Abaala town, Kilbati /Zone 2, Afar
Al Jazeera reported overnight fighting in the Afar border town of Abala, with differing reports on who controls it.
Shelling · Alamata town, Area 3, Contested
Residents said artillery fire, attributed by local militia to government forces, struck the Saturday market in Alamata, killing 11 people and wounding 15.
Drone strike · Bishoftu town, East Shewa, Oromia
Two small drones exploded inside the Ethiopian Air Force base in Bishoftu overnight on 26-27 September, killing a senior pilot and injuring two others, according to sources; unverified social media posts linked it to the Alliance for Survival.
Shelling · Maichew town, Southern, Tigray
Shelling of Maychew between 26 and 28 September contributed to at least 44 civilian injuries, including 33 children, across Maychew and Alamata, according to a medical source.
Battle · Alamata town, Area 3, Contested
Hospital sources said at least 52 civilians, including 12 in a single strike on the marketplace, were killed in heavy fighting with artillery in and around Alamata from Saturday to Monday.
Battle · Alamata town, Area 3, Contested
Hospital sources and a doctor at Alamata General Hospital said at least 52 civilians were killed during three days of heavy fighting in and around Alamata between 26 and 29 September.
Shelling · Alamata town, Area 3, Contested
Residents and a hospital source said heavy weapons fire during fighting between federal and TPLF forces in and around Alamata from 26 to 29 September killed more than 50 people, one resident estimating about 65.
Attack on civilians · Alamata town, Area 3, Contested
Hospital staff told the BBC that at least 52 civilians, including young children, were killed over three days of heavy fighting involving artillery and explosives in and around Alamata, with a single strike on a marketplace killing 12 people.