Daily record · 12 Oct 2026
Ethiopia war, 12 Oct 2026: what happened
25 reports on 12 Oct 2026: 8 independently verified, 17 claimed by a party. 1 drone or air strikes, 2 changes of control.
Changes of control
- Ethiopian National Defense Force took Axum town
- +1 · inferred from an advance
Drone and air strikes
- 12 Oct 20261
Drone strike · Ahsea, Central, Tigray
Satellite imagery and local reports indicate that ENDF drones struck a secondary school and a health centre in Ahsea district, Tigray, leaving the school heavily damaged and causing reported civilian casualties.
All reports of the day
- 12 Oct 202625
Battle · Unknown place
Fano forces advanced and reached the locality of Jema in the south of the country.
Battle · Unknown place
Fano captured multiple localities and took government prisoners near Zemero.
Battle · Bure town, West Gojam, Amhara
Border fighting intensified in the locality of Bure along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border.
Statement · Arada Sub City, Region 14, Addis Ababa
The Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the African Union to intervene and restore its representation at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa after Ethiopia expelled ten Eritrean diplomats.
Control change · Unknown place
Government forces captured Feres-May woreda in Tigray.
Control change · Adigrat town, Eastern, Tigray
Visual evidence confirmed that the Ethiopian National Defense Force and allied Tigray Peace Forces captured the towns of Adigrat and Nebelet.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
The ENDF and allied Tigray Peace Forces captured Axum, as confirmed by visual evidence.
Statement · Unknown place
Somalia's state minister for foreign affairs told the BBC that Mogadishu would stay neutral in the Ethiopia–Eritrea dispute, and warned that the renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia could cause wider security and economic crises across the Horn of Africa.
Statement · Arada Sub City, Region 14, Addis Ababa
President Taye Atske-Selassie said at the National Flag Day ceremony that Ethiopia would pursue sea access through peaceful diplomacy and mutually beneficial regional cooperation.
Development · Unknown place
Flight-tracking data showed two Il-76TD cargo aircraft, RA-78765 and TL-ATB, leaving Al Reef Airbase in the UAE on 12 October heading towards Ethiopia, continuing a UAE–Ethiopia airlift.
Development · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
The government said the disarmament and reintegration process in Tigray restarted, with armed people seeking to return to civilian life registering at the Tigray Police Commission center in Mekelle.
Development · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Residents in Mekelle said the reopening of closed services and the return of activity in the city had given them hope.
Statement · Unknown place
The Tigray Peace Forces said that senior TPLF leaders were gathered near the Ethiopia-Eritrea border and warned them against crossing into Eritrea, urging fighters and cadres to stay in Ethiopia and surrender.
Statement · Unknown place
The Amhara Fano National Movement said the Tigray army carried out a special operation in Yechila Lweri Negari and captured three full units of regime soldiers with their weapons and property.
Battle · Unknown place
The Amhara Fano National Movement said that the TDF launched a lightning attack in the Fina Ruba area, destroyed an ENDF regiment, and captured weapons and vehicles.
Statement · Arada Sub City, Region 14, Addis Ababa
Ethiopian officials in Addis Ababa presented seized drones, anti-drones and documents to foreign ambassadors and said the drones and anti-drones had entered from Eritrea and Sudan.
Statement · Unknown place
At a public conference in Logia, the Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization called for President Isaias Afwerki and the Eritrean government to be held accountable for alleged abuses and destruction against the Red Sea Afar people.
Statement · Unknown place
Eritrea’s Information Minister said Ethiopia’s declaration of war against Eritrea was a legal fallacy and a strategic miscalculation.
Drone strike · Ahsea, Central, Tigray
Satellite imagery and local reports indicate that ENDF drones struck a secondary school and a health centre in Ahsea district, Tigray, leaving the school heavily damaged and causing reported civilian casualties.
Statement · Arada Sub City, Region 14, Addis Ababa
At a National Flag Day commemoration at Defence Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Lieutenant General Achalu Shelleme said the ENDF would continue strengthening its capabilities and defending Ethiopia’s national interests and sovereignty.
Statement · Raya Alamata, Area 3, Contested
Amhara National Movement accused Tigray Peace Forces of killings, attacks on displaced people returning home, and attempts to impose political and administrative dominance in Raya Alamata.
Development · Metema, West Gondar, Amhara
Armed men moving in Metema woreda reportedly accepted a peace appeal and entered the peace process.
Statement · Unknown place
President Taye Atske Selassie said Ethiopia protects its independence and sovereignty with united force against an invader.
Statement · Unknown place
On 2026-10-12, Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel said Ethiopia's Commander of the Air Force had declared an impending invasion of Assab.
Statement · Edaga Hamus town, Eastern, Tigray
Ambassador General Bacha Debele said Eritrean forces crossed into Ethiopia near Adigrat and reached Edaga Hamus, warning that they would face stronger military action if they did not withdraw.