Al Jazeera reports from near front line in Ethiopia’s Afar region

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Published: 2026-09-28T10:10:31.194Z • Permanent link

Ethiopian forces have been battling separatist rebels in the Afar region for weeks, with the United Nations estimating over 5,000 civilians have been displaced in the conflict. Al Jazeera reports that the fighting has been concentrated in the town of Kornino, where Ethiopian troops have been clashing with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC). The conflict is believed to have started in 2020, when the OLA and OFC began calling for greater autonomy for the Afar region.

According to Al Jazeera, the Ethiopian government has accused the OLA and OFC of being backed by neighboring countries, including Eritrea and Somalia. The Ethiopian government has also accused the rebels of using the region's natural resources to fund their activities. The conflict has been fueled by long-standing ethnic and regional tensions in Ethiopia, which has been plagued by instability and violence in recent years.

The United Nations has been criticized for its slow response to the crisis, with many accusing the organization of being too focused on humanitarian aid and not doing enough to address the root causes of the conflict. The Ethiopian government has also been accused of human rights abuses, including the use of excessive force against civilians.

The conflict in the Afar region has significant implications for the global media landscape, particularly for companies that operate in Africa. Al Jazeera's coverage of the conflict has been widely praised for its accuracy and depth, and the network has been credited with helping to raise international awareness of the crisis. However, the conflict has also highlighted the challenges faced by media outlets in covering conflict zones, particularly in terms of access and safety.

Research communities and policymakers have also been watching the conflict closely, with many seeing it as a test of the Ethiopian government's ability to manage ethnic tensions and maintain stability in the region. The conflict has also raised questions about the role of foreign powers in supporting separatist movements, and whether this is contributing to instability in the region.

The conflict in the Afar region is part of a larger pattern of instability in Ethiopia, which has been plagued by ethnic violence and instability in recent years. The Ethiopian government has been criticized for its handling of these tensions, with many accusing the government of using excessive force against civilians. The conflict has also highlighted the challenges faced by the Ethiopian government in maintaining stability in the region, particularly in the face of competing interests and rivalries.