Fighting Intensifies Across Tigray as Reports Claim More Than 260 Ethiopian Army Casualties

Renewed fighting between the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) has reportedly continued across several fronts in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

Field reports dated October 26, 2026, describe artillery exchanges, armed clashes and ambushes across northwestern and central Tigray.

According to the reports, TDF fighters targeted federal military units at several locations, while heavy artillery fire was reported along a strategic transport corridor connecting Shire and Sheraro.

The sources claimed that more than 260 ENDF personnel were killed or wounded, including over 150 injured soldiers.

However, the reported casualty figures have not been independently verified, and no confirmed Ethiopian military response to the specific October 26 figures was identified.

Artillery exchanges reported along Shire–Sheraro corridor

The northwestern front remained a focus of the reported military activity.

According to the field account, artillery and gunfire exchanges continued from the early morning into the afternoon near Adi Hagere, along the Shire–Sheraro highway.

The route is important for military movement and logistical access across northwestern Tigray.

Both the ENDF and TDF have previously conducted operations in the area as competing forces attempted to control major roads and surrounding positions.

A security assessment published by the Critical Threats Project on October 23 reported that Ethiopian federal forces had expanded operations around Shire and advanced toward Sheraro.

The assessment also documented renewed fighting west of Shire.

While this provides independent evidence of military activity along the corridor, it does not confirm every detail of the October 26 field report.

TDF ambushes reportedly inflict heavy losses

The field report claimed that TDF units conducted ambushes against ENDF positions in several parts of Central Tigray.

The locations identified included Zad Mogulat, Dega Arbi, Azeba and Afom.

According to the sources, the engagements forced some federal units to withdraw from their positions after sustaining significant casualties.

The reported total of more than 260 casualties, including over 150 wounded personnel, was attributed to these engagements.

No independently verified breakdown of fatalities, injuries, affected military units or equipment losses was available.

The scale of the reported losses therefore remains uncertain.

Independent monitors confirm recent fighting

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) has documented renewed clashes involving Tigrayan forces and the Ethiopian military during the days preceding the October 26 reports.

On October 24, ACLED recorded fighting between the TDF, ENDF and the federally aligned Tigray Peace Force (TPF) in Edaga Arbi, Ahferom district, Central Tigray.

The conflict monitor also reported that federal forces regained control of Adet and Zana districts on October 23 following TDF withdrawals.

These developments confirm that military engagements and territorial changes were continuing across the region.

However, ACLED’s confirmed events should not be treated as independent verification of the specific casualty figures or locations cited in the October 26 field account.

Tembien remains a contested military area

The Tembien area of Central Tigray has also experienced repeated fighting.

Abiy Addi and the surrounding Kola Tembien district have seen several changes in military control during October.

According to ACLED, the Tigray Peace Force regained control of Abiy Addi on October 21 after TDF units withdrew.

The October 26 report additionally claimed that an underground military weapons depot had been discovered near Agbe.

The existence, inventory and reported discovery of this specific facility have not been independently confirmed.

Renewed fighting threatens the peace process

The ongoing hostilities represent a major deterioration of the security situation following the November 2022 Pretoria peace agreement.

Federal forces regained control of major Tigrayan cities during the October offensive, while TDF commanders have pledged to continue resistance.

The Ethiopian government subsequently established a temporary regional administration with responsibilities including public-service restoration, security and election preparations.

The latest reported engagements underline the continued military challenges facing both sides outside major urban centers.

The full extent of the October 26 casualties and reported battlefield developments remains subject to independent verification.