Tigray cancels Mawlid celebrations amid drone strike concerns
The last-minute cancellation of Mawlid festivities in Ethiopia’s Tigray region follows the recent calling off of the Ashenda festival, highlighting the impact of escalating security tensions on local governance.
Festivities marking Mawlid, the Muslim holiday celebrating the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, were cancelled at the last minute in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The decision was driven by fears of drone strikes, according to reports from France 24.
This development follows the recent cancellation of the Ashenda festival, another major Tigrayan event, which was also called off at the last minute for the same reason. The pattern of cancellations suggests that security concerns are increasingly influencing the scheduling of public gatherings in the region.
The backdrop to these decisions is a series of drone strikes that have hit northern Ethiopia in recent days. These incidents have heightened anxiety among residents and local authorities, prompting precautionary measures for large-scale events.
The cancellations occur amid continuing tensions between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian government. The ongoing escalation between the two parties remains a central factor in the region’s current security landscape.
While the specific number of strikes or their exact locations within Tigray has not been detailed, the perceived threat has been sufficient to disrupt traditional celebrations. The reliance on last-minute decisions indicates a fluid and uncertain environment for local administration.
France 24 correspondent Tom Canetti reported the news from Addis Ababa, underscoring the national attention the situation in Tigray continues to receive.
