Updated October 1, 2026, 17:00 UTC: Adds BBC reporting of a third blast site in Gotera and Ethiopia's announcement of its embassy closure in Eritrea and expulsion of 10 Eritrean diplomats. Corrections are noted at the end of the report.

Three explosions were reported in Addis Ababa between about 7 p.m. on September 30 and early October 1, near Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) headquarters, in the 4 Kilo area and in Gotera. The blasts came hours after the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) banned drone flights over the capital, and four days after a reported drone strike on the Bishoftu air base, 40 km away. An alliance-linked source claimed drone strikes, but the claim is unverified, and there is no on-record government statement on cause, damage or casualties. If the blasts were attacks, the northern conflict has reached the capital ahead of Irreecha on October 3 and 4 and the parliament opening on October 5. Organizations should account for all personnel, suspend non-essential night movement and keep staff away from military and government sites through at least October 7.

Risk Level: HIGH | Recommended Posture: Confirm personnel accountability within 12 hours; no non-essential movement between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.; avoid ENDF headquarters, the 4 Kilo precinct, the Gotera neighborhood and Bishoftu through October 7.