Daily record · 13 Oct 2026
Ethiopia war, 13 Oct 2026: what happened
17 reports on 13 Oct 2026: 10 independently verified, 7 claimed by a party. 0 drone or air strikes, 2 changes of control, 4 people reported killed.
Changes of control
- Ethiopian National Defense Force took Zala Anbesa town
- +1 · inferred from an advance
All reports of the day
- 13 Oct 202617
Development · Zala Anbesa town, Eastern, Tigray
Ethiopian military forces reportedly entered the border town of Zalambessa after Eritrean and TPLF forces withdrew.
Attack on civilians · Unknown place
Residents reported that armed actors killed four people in Gambella.
Statement · Unknown place
The Eritrean Information Minister circulated an information note to UN Security Council member states regarding relations with Ethiopia.
Statement · Unknown place
Sudan stated that it is ready to hold talks with Ethiopia if Ethiopia stops its support for the Rapid Support Force and desists from activities that threaten Sudanese security.
Development · Adigrat town, Eastern, Tigray
The Ethiopian government resumed essential services, flights to Mekelle, banking, telecommunications, and humanitarian aid in Tigray, alongside public rallies supporting federal efforts.
Statement · Arada Sub City, Region 14, Addis Ababa
Getachew Reda met with EU Special Representative Annette Weber and Ambassador Sofie From-Emmesberger to discuss regional peace, stability, and the roles of Eritrea and Sudan.
Development · Unknown place
The UN allocated 8.5 million dollars in humanitarian aid due to escalating conflict in northern Ethiopia between federal forces and Tigray forces.
Development · Zala Anbesa town, Eastern, Tigray
Eyewitnesses reported a substantial convoy of ENDF tanks and heavy weaponry moving toward Fatsi and Zalambessa overnight into 13 October.
Development · Arada Sub City, Region 14, Addis Ababa
The Ethiopian National Defense Force displayed weapons and drones in Addis Ababa that it alleged were sent from Eritrea and Sudan to Mekelle and captured from the TPLF, presenting them to foreign military attachés.
Development · Adigrat town, Eastern, Tigray
Adigrat University announced the registration schedule for returning regular students for the 2019 E.C. academic year.
Statement · Unknown place
Eritrea's Information Minister stated on X that the Ethiopian regime has engaged in high military expenditure and received 365 UAE cargo and military deliveries in the first three quarters of 2026.
Control change · Zala Anbesa town, Eastern, Tigray
The Ethiopian National Defense Force and allied Tigray Peace Forces took control of the border town of Zalambessa.
Development · Arada Sub City, Region 14, Addis Ababa
The Addis Ababa Police announced the lifting of the ban on motorcycle movement in the city, effective from the following morning.
Statement · Unknown place
Some sources reported that the UN Security Council would meet behind closed doors on 13 October on the situation in the Horn of Africa, at the request of the United States, over the escalation in northern Ethiopia.
Statement · Unknown place
Some sources reported that Somaliland's foreign minister, Abdirahman Dahir Bakal, said Somaliland was ready to let Ethiopia use its coast and the port of Berbera, said Ethiopia had the right to defend itself against any force violating its sovereignty, and called for the Ethiopia–Eritrea dispute to be settled through dialogue.
Development · Axum town, Central, Tigray
Residents of Aksum, left without any security force, were guarding their neighbourhoods against looting and Aksum University staff were guarding the campus, as the ENDF and Tigray Peace Forces were reported to be approaching the city.
Development · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede, Colonel Tewolde Gebretinsae, Isaias Tadesse and Colonel Alemseged Gebregziabher arrived in Mekelle, brought by the ENDF, after about two weeks held by their former TPLF comrades; Colonel Alemseged confirmed their arrival by phone.