France, Sept. 25 -- Rebels in the northern Tigray region seized local airports and launched attacks into the neighbouring states of Afar and Amhara this week, saying they were once again in a "full-blown war" with the federal government.

Locals fear a repeat of the telecoms blackout and supplies blockade imposed on Tigray during the last civil war in 2020-2022 that killed an estimated 600,000 people.

Online monitor Netblocks said there was an "internet disruption in northern Ethiopia corresponding to reports of a telecoms blackout in Tigray". AFP was unable to contact sources in the region by phone on Friday.

A humanitarian source in Afar said there was "heavy fighting overnight" around the town of Abala that sits in the mountains on t...