THE ISSUE

Urgent international action is needed to protect civilians in Tigray amid renewed hostilities and reports of drone strikes and other attacks.

Nearly four years after the November 2022 Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, renewed violence threatens to return Tigray to another devastating cycle of war, civilian casualties, displacement, hunger, and serious human-rights violations.

Recent reports of drone strikes in Tigray in August 2026 have heightened concerns for civilian safety. Reports have described strikes affecting areas of Tigray and casualties, including children. These incidents require urgent, credible, and independent investigation.

Tigrayan civilians have already endured years of devastating conflict. Large numbers of people remain displaced, families continue to face humanitarian hardship, and serious concerns remain regarding the protection and safe return of displaced Tigrayans.

DOCUMENTED AND REPORTED CONCERNS

• RENEWED DRONE STRIKES

Reports in August 2026 have raised serious concerns about renewed drone strikes in Tigray. Any attack that may have unlawfully targeted civilians or civilian objects must be independently investigated.

International humanitarian law requires parties to armed conflict to distinguish between civilians and military objectives and to take precautions to protect civilians.

• HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

Communities throughout Tigray continue to have serious humanitarian needs. Disruptions affecting food, fuel, medicine, medical services, humanitarian assistance, and other essential supplies can have devastating consequences for civilians.

Humanitarian organizations must be allowed to reach people in need safely and without unlawful interference.

• DISPLACEMENT AND CONTINUING ABUSES

Large numbers of Tigrayans remain displaced years after the conflict began.

Human-rights organizations have documented concerns involving forced displacement, arbitrary detention, restrictions on return, and continuing abuses affecting ethnic Tigrayans, particularly in Western Tigray.

Displaced Tigrayans must be able to return to their homes voluntarily, safely, and with dignity.

• ACCOUNTABILITY

Victims and survivors of atrocities committed during the Tigray conflict are still waiting for meaningful justice.

Allegations involving unlawful killings, sexual violence, torture, enforced disappearances, forced displacement, attacks against civilians and humanitarian personnel, and other serious violations require credible and independent investigation.

Individuals found responsible for serious international crimes through credible investigations and lawful proceedings must be held accountable regardless of political position, military rank, nationality, or affiliation.

CALL TO ACTION: IMMEDIATE DEMANDS

We call upon the United Nations, United States, European Union, African Union, international partners, and Ethiopian authorities to:

• Demand an immediate end to unlawful drone strikes and other unlawful attacks affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Tigray.

• Support an independent international investigation into reported drone strikes and alleged violations of international humanitarian and human-rights law.

• Guarantee safe and unrestricted humanitarian access for food, medicine, fuel, medical equipment, humanitarian personnel, and other essential assistance.

• Protect Tigrayan civilians from unlawful attacks, arbitrary detention, forced displacement, collective punishment, and other serious human-rights abuses.

• Ensure that displaced Tigrayans can return voluntarily, safely, and with dignity to their homes.

• Support credible investigations and lawful prosecutions where sufficient evidence establishes responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or other serious international crimes.

• Consider appropriate targeted measures against individuals credibly implicated in serious human-rights violations.

• Use diplomatic pressure to prevent another devastating large-scale war in Tigray and support full implementation of commitments intended to protect civilians and sustain peace.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The people of Tigray have already endured years of devastating warfare. Families have lost loved ones, communities have been displaced, and survivors continue to live with the consequences of violence, hunger, destruction, and insecurity.

The international community must not wait for another catastrophic war before responding.

Reports of renewed drone strikes and escalating tensions are warning signs that deserve immediate international attention.

Peace requires more than the absence of full-scale war. It requires protection of civilians, humanitarian access, safe return for displaced people, respect for human rights, and meaningful accountability.

Please stand with civilians in Tigray and demand action:

STOP UNLAWFUL ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS.

PROTECT TIGRAYAN CIVILIANS.

GUARANTEE HUMANITARIAN ACCESS.

SUPPORT THE SAFE RETURN OF DISPLACED TIGRAYANS.

INVESTIGATE ALLEGED ATROCITIES.

HOLD RESPONSIBLE PERPETRATORS ACCOUNTABLE.

PREVENT ANOTHER DEVASTATING WAR IN TIGRAY.