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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Tigrayan rebels have abandoned the capital Mekele & have melted into the mountainous surrounding countryside. Which is what they did in November 2020, sparing residents from enduring urban neighbourhood to neighbourhood battles for the city. TPLF head Debretsion Gebremichael vows to fight on.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Hilarity last night. I've been on well over a dozen or maybe even two dozen Al Jazeera TV segments. So, another day at the office I thought. Until I found out with minutes ago, it was AJ Arabic. N.B Your boy only knows how to curse in Arabic😬

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Anna Bjerde, the World Bank's Managing Director of Operations just landed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The disconnect with the situation on the ground is next level. I don't understand if this is sort of some negotiating tactic bluff or if she's just been off the grid for a week or so.

Anna Bjerde
@bjerde_anna
Just arrived in Addis. Look forward to discussions with counterparts, the private sector & agribusiness entrepreneurs. Steady reform momentum and investments will continue to boost the economy and create more & better jobs.
3:54 AM · Oct 1, 2026
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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🇪🇹🇪🇬 Another diplomatic expulsion: Ethiopia has declared Ahmed Moharam Ahmed Soliman, an Egyptian diplomat based at the Egyptian Embassy in Addis Ababa, persona non grata. He has 48 hours to leave the country. Ethiopia has repeatedly accused Egypt of supporting the Ethiopian armed rebel alliance.

EDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ф3
Date.
No.
10/1/2026 2-5/15/1/26
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Addis Ababa and has the honor to refer to matters concerning a diplomatic staff member of the Embassy.
In accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Ministry hereby notifies the Embassy that Ahmed Moharam Ahmed Soliman has been declared persona non grata. The Ministry expects the Embassy's diplomatic staff member to leave Ethiopia within Forty-Eight (48) hours from the date of this notification.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Addis Ababa the assurances of its highest consideration.
iopia
4
Federa
Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Addis Ababa
Filwuha, Addis Ababa,Ethiopia. P.O.Box 393
Call: +251 115 51 73 45 | Fax: +251 115 51 43 00
Email:- Info@mfa.gov.et
Web:- www.mfa.gov.et

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Hardly a surprise, Eritrea has formally hit back by announcing a complete rupture of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Ethiopia had expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, but didn't actually order the Eritrean embassy's closure. Now, the embassy in Addis Ababa could likely be vacated anyways.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the closure of its embassy in Asmara, Eritrea. It also expelled ten Eritrean diplomats based in Ethiopia, days after accusing Eritrea of assisting the rebel alliance. Diplomatic relations between the two had already largely been severed since 2023.

PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has decided to close its Embassy in Asmara, Eritrea, in response to Eritrea's direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence against Ethiopia. The Ministry has also declared ten Eritrean diplomats in Addis Ababa persona non grata for involvement in activities that pose a direct threat to Ethiopia's national security in breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. These diplomats are required to leave Ethiopia within 48 hours.
Ethiopia urges the Eritrean Government to cease all acts that are contrary to the principles governing relations between sovereign states. Ethiopia values its strong historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties with Eritrea and has consistently prioritized peaceful coexistence, regional stability, and integration. Ethiopia remains committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes and to working with all countries in the Horn of Africa to advance lasting peace, security, and regional integration.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
01 October 2026
CONTACT US:
Office of the Spokesperson
Email: spokesperson@mfa.gov.et/
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
WWW.MEA.GOV.ET
FOLLOW USON:
(OMFAEthiopis | -MFAEthiopia
3 Talub

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Very strange, worrying development: a couple of loud explosions were heard in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last night. It came a day after Ethiopian authorities announced a ban on any and all drone use in the capital, although they provided no explanation. Uncertainty as fighting rages on.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Updates: the Ethiopian army is in control of the city of Alamata, after 3 days of fierce fighting on the city's outskirts. At least 50 people in the city died, many from artillery strikes, per medical sources reached by the BBC. A strike that targeted the city's marketplace killed a dozen people.

bbc.com

Ethiopia fighting escalates in Tigray killing 52 civilians in Alamata, medic tells the BBC

The deadly fighting has also spread to neighbouring regions, stranding tourists in Lalibela.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Wrote on Ethiopia's war for The @telegraph.co.uk newspaper. Interviewed residents of the Tigrayan capital of Mekele, where war looms large, as well as Fano rebel commander Asres Mare Damtie. Residents describe stocking up on supplies and withdrawing cash months before war broke out.

telegraph.co.uk

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I went on the BBC to provide some updates and context on Ethiopia's new war and how it broke out in the first place. As I pointed out here, yesterday bank accounts opened in Tigray were collectively frozen, which prevents millions from accessing funds. The situation is becoming increasingly dire.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

DRONE TARGETS JOURNALISTS These images from the @afp.com show the aftermath of an Ethiopian drone strike today, on the headquarter TV station of the local Tigrai TV network in the Tigrayan city of Mekele, as war rages on. No info on casualties, Tigrai TV has been off air since the attack.

AFP photo showing the destruction caused to the headquarter building of Tigrai TV in the city of Mekele

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Done. Will post a link. Coming up, a prerecorded segment with @sbsaustralia.nzcow.com to air hopefully soon.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Will be on BBC TV momentarily to provide some updates and context on the conflict in Ethiopia.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

RE: AIRSTRIKES Two reports highlighting aerial crimes vis a vis the new conflict in Ethiopia were published today. First, @hrw.org looked at visual evidence into the Aug 20th Ethiopian airstrike that injured a dozen civilians in the city of Mekele and found no valid military targets.

hrw.org

Ethiopia: Indiscriminate Airstrike in Tigray

An apparent Ethiopian government airstrike on a residential compound in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region on August 20, 2026, should be investigated as a possible war crime, Human Rights Watch said to...

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NetBlocks @netblocks.org · 24/09/2026

⚠️ Confirmed: Network data indicate a subnational internet disruption in northern #Ethiopia corresponding to reports of a telecoms blackout in #Tigray. The incident comes amid escalating conflict between Tigrayan forces and the national army 📉

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

UPDATE: As war rages on in Ethiopia, @netblocks.org has confirmed what it calls a "subnational internet disruption," in the country's north. Phone/internet is disrupted across the Tigray region. A very bad sign. Comms blackouts in our region are typically implemented when atrocities are planned.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

War breaks out in Ethiopia. Tigrayan forces attack federal government positions on two fronts & capture the region's airports. Tragically, shuttle diplomacy efforts by the international community have failed. Ethiopia is on the brink of being plunged back into all out civil war. It's a disaster.

aljazeera.com

Tigray forces launch offensive against Ethiopian government

Tigray People’s Liberation Front seizes control of airports, targets government positions in Afar and Amhara regions.

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Haaretz.com @haaretzcom.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Haaretz exposé: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received an explicit warning from UAE President bin Zayed days before October 7. He didn't brief Israel's security chiefs. 🔗https://tr.ee/s78NFy

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Discussed drone diplomacy with Belgian @MO* Magazine & the devastation caused by cheap Turkish UAVs across Africa. Story comes months after Belgian Queen Mathilde visited the facility of Turkiye's Baykar drone manufacturer as part of a Belgian trade delegation & exchanged pleasantries with its CEO.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

My latest for the Middle East Eye: a recent deal by a Canadian mining company to sell a stake in its assets grants a Chinese state company with UAE state shareholders partial ownership of an Ethiopian gold mine near Sudan's warzone. Emirati gold smuggling has fueled RSF bloodshed in Sudan for years.

middleeasteye.net

UAE-backed Chinese company acquires stake in Ethiopian gold mine near Sudan war zone

Deal between Canada's Allied Gold and China's Zijin includes gold site on Sudan-Ethiopia border

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

There's a journo who produced like 8 bodies of work: podcasts, print investigations, all dedicated to Jason Arday during the 1st week of Aug alone. And those of us spending August on human trafficking or war crimes are supposed to refer to those like him as "colleague" or comrade of the pen. Yeah.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won a landslide victory in last month's elections. I went on the Proximities podcast with the one and only @barrymalone.bsky.social couple of weeks ago, to discuss Ethiopia's democratic backsliding, the threat of war & the geopolitical chaos in the region.

youtube.com

Ethiopia: What happened to Abiy Ahmed? | Proximities

YouTube video by The Proximities Podcast

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Africa's* youngest world cup goalscorer of all time, and the fourth youngest in history, 18 years and 143 days. Take a bow kiddo.

FIFA

1st) Pele – 17 years & 239 days
2nd) Manuel Rosas – 18 years & 93 days
3rd) Gavi – 18 years & 110 days
4th) Michael Owen – 18 years & 190 days
5th) Nicolae Kovacs – 18 years & 197 days
6th) Dmitri Sychev – 18 years & 231 days
7th) Lionel Messi – 18 years & 357 days
8th) Julian Green – 19 years & 25 days
9th) Divock Origi – 19 years & 65 days
10th) Martin Hoffmann – 19 years & 88 days
11th) Jude Bellingham – 19 years & 145 days
12th) Tostao – 19 years & 171 days
13th) Kylian Mbappe – 19 years & 183 days
14th) Edmund Conen – 19 years & 198 days
15th) Moussa Wague – 19 years & 263 days
16th) Mazzola – 19 years & 288 days
17th) Ronald Gonzalez – 19 years & 319 days
18th) Georgi Sokolov – 19 years & 349 days 19th) Aleksandar Tirnanic – 19 years & 364 days
20th) Fredy Bickel – 20 years & 28 days
21st) Haminu Draman – 20 years & 82 days
22nd) Stephane Demol – 20 years & 96 days
23rd) Landon Donovan – 20 years & 102 days
24th) Enzo Scifo – 20 years & 109 days
25th) Julius Aghahowa – 20 years & 115 days

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

My primary school teachers in Addis Ababa gave us the day off decades ago, to let us watch Senegal take on France in the 2002 World Cup opener. Senegal defeated the heavily favoured defending champions, a shining moment in African football history. Will a Papa Bouba Diop emerge in 2026? HT: 🇸🇳0-0🇫🇷

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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 12/06/2026

One injured as Israel hits southern Lebanon with air raids, artillery aje.news/lqe78r

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Million Haileselassie @millionh.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

French journalist expelled from Ethiopia "She traveled this month to Tigray. During the visit, the Ethiopian Media Authority told her to return immediately to Addis and criticized her for reporting from an area of political and security instability." www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...

lemonde.fr

French journalist expelled from Ethiopia

Augustine Passilly, 30, had been a correspondent for 'La Croix' in the Horn of Africa country since 2023, and no clear reason was given by authorities for her expulsion this week.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

This was rumoured for a while, but hard to verify, but weeks later my old newsroom has finally certified the news: Sudan's Armed Forces launched a deadly drone strike in neighbouring Ethiopia, killing 8 civilians including an IOM aid worker on April 29th. Sudan had warned attacks were imminent.

addisstandard.com

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

N.B...especially relevant for my American friends here. And if you're American & a journalist covering foreign affairs/Iran...the Ciham story shouldn't be left out. Especially when the Trump administration officially announces it's rapprochement with Eritrea, which could be any day.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

THREAD: So you may or may not recognize this little girl, but it's timely to learn about her now, as Iran's Hormuz deadlock is pushing desperate regional & global powers towards alternative trade corridors. This is Ciham Ali Abdu, an American citizen. She hasn't been seen or heard from since 2012.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Sudan openly lashed out at Ethiopia, accusing the country of allowing Emirati backed RSF forces to use Ethiopian airbases as launching pads for drone strikes. No evidence was provided, but the accusation isn't outlandish & could be accurate. Sudan has hinted that it may retaliate. @aljazeera.com

youtube.com

Sudan accuses Ethiopia, UAE of being behind recent drone attacks

YouTube video by Al Jazeera English

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

I'm way out of my league with this high caliber lineup of trailblazing women, but we're still gonna give it our best shot later today. Wish me luck✌🏿

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

In this video explainer produced by @thetimes.com, I provide analysis on how conflict in East Africa is being inflamed by geopolitical rivals in the Gulf, who are carving the region apart. The race for the Bab El Mandeb oil corridor pits 🇦🇪 on one side & 🇸🇦 🇪🇬 on the other, but fuels 🇪🇹 🇸🇩 🇪🇷 wide tension

youtu.be

Is This Africa's Next Big Conflict?

YouTube video by Times Originals

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

The Public Source produce deep dives and essays that really acquaint you with Lebanon. Read this indepth sit down they had with the late Amal Khalil back in January. Che Guevara-esque, a fearless warrior of a journo, chasing the eye of the storms of war since 2006.

thepublicsource.org

Amal Khalil’s Two Decades of Militant Journalism

Journalist Amal Khalil, who stayed on the frontlines throughout the Israeli war on Lebanon, reflects on her experience, work ethic, labor, and politics of journalism.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Next level depravity. Blunt, unapologetic justification for the murder of Lebanese journalists, and a promise to kill more. Rest in power Amal.

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Justin Salhani @justinsalhani.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I wrote about Israel’s forced evacuation, what happens to those who leave and those who stay behind www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

aljazeera.com

To stay or to go? No good options for Lebanon’s displaced

Residents of southern Lebanon face a stark choice: stay home and risk being killed, or flee and risk deepening poverty.

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elia ayoub @ayoub.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Lebanese francophone outlet L’Orient Le-Jour: the Nakba of South Lebanon. We Lebanese are calling it for what it is: a continuation of the 1948 Nakba. The photo shows a Lebanese village with an Israeli flag on it, planted by the genocidal army.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Thinking of friends in Lebanon, and all Lebanese who have hopes pinned on another "peace deal" being implemented by parties, with a track record of invading territories and violating ceasefires at will with no repercussions whatsoever.

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The Continent @thecontinent.org · 17/04/2026

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 235 of The Continent In South African politics, Gayton McKenzie is a larger-than-life character who leans into his criminal past and blends populism, and a striking disregard for the rule of law. Remind you of someone? bit.ly/235_TC

This is the cover of The Continent. Above that, in a thin strip, it says “African Journalism | 18 April 2026 | Issue 235”. Beneath the title is the headline: “South Africa’s populist pretender”.

The central image is a caricature of a Gayton Mackenzie with exaggerated features. He has a very wide grin showing large, uneven teeth, a rounded face, and heavy lines around his eyes and cheeks. His expression is confident but slightly mocking. His hair is bright blond, styled in a sweeping, combed-over shape that resembles Donald Trump's signature hairstyle.

He is wearing a dark blue suit jacket, a white shirt, and a bright red tie. On his jacket are several round badges. One is yellow with the letters “PA”. Another shows the South African flag. A third has a blue Star of David on a white background. Another badge reads “I ♥ Orban”.

The illustration is by Gado.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Short thread containing satellite imagery of Emirati weapons smuggled to the genocidal RSF militia in Sudan, with accompanying file photos. Snapped at a secret RSF logistics base in western Ethiopia (10°05'55.5"N 34°34'50.9"E). Wednesday marked 3 years since the start of Sudan's brutal civil war.

Light technical vehicles used widely by the RSF in battle, about 120 seen here before being delivered to the RSF. December 29th 2025.

About 200 light technical vehicles seen on February 18th.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

My latest for Middle East Eye: satellite imagery analysis reveals that an Ethiopian army base in western Ethiopia is being used as a weapons & logistics hub by Sudan's UAE backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to launch cross border attacks on Sudanese army positions from Ethiopia.

middleeasteye.net

Exclusive: The Ethiopian army base covertly supporting Sudan’s RSF

Satellite imagery collected since December reveals a base at Asosa, connected to UAE supply lines, facilitating the Rapid Support Forces

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Mira Al Hussein @miraalhussein.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

"A former Ethiopian government adviser told MEE that “many in Ethiopia’s foreign ministry and elsewhere believe the UAE has been calling the shots in Ethiopia in regard to the Sudan government, RSF and Eritrea over the port of Assab for at least two years”. ✍️ @zekuzelalem.bsky.social + Oscar Rickett

middleeasteye.net

Exclusive: The Ethiopian army base covertly supporting Sudan’s RSF

Satellite imagery collected since December reveals a base at Asosa, connected to UAE supply lines, facilitating the Rapid Support Forces

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Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

BAGHDAD (AP) — American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad last week, has been released, an Iraqi official says.

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Ouch. Looks like his highness Pahlavi bout to get hit with the Maria Corina Machado treatment.

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Justin Salhani @justinsalhani.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

I hate how many journalists descend on Beirut when there is war. Yes, it needs covering and some people know the city and do it really well. But still, many come in and repeat problematic western-centric narratives. I understand this is the type of reporting that makes careers and pays bills

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Operation "Shock and awe," Baghdad, March 2003. That's what comes to mind. That operation led to at least 6,000 civilian deaths per Iraq Body Count. How many will die this time?

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Appeared on Deutsche Welle TV, to dissect possible war in the Horn. Among points I make: Iran bombing the UAE could affect Emirati East Africa operations, possibly delaying a push to war by its client state Ethiopia & hampering operations of its proxy, the genocidal RSF in Sudan. Starts at 12:24.

youtu.be

Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions: Renewed war in the Horn of Africa? | DW News

YouTube video by DW News

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Mira Al Hussein @miraalhussein.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Victims in our countries seldom get profiled and humanised in Western media. This is a portrait of a life cut short. What a tragedy. "Saleh Ahmed (55) lived in the UAE as an expat for 25 years, sending under £500 per month in earnings to Bangladesh for his wife and four children."

news.sky.com

'An Iranian missile landed on him': Sky News speaks to son of expat who died in United Arab Emirates

Saleh Ahmed, 55, was delivering drinking water when he was fatally struck by debris after a missile attack on the first day of the war. His son tells Sky News he does not believe his father knew the c...

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Zecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Was on the Global Dispatches podcast last week with Mark Leon Goldberg, to discuss the complexities of brewing conflict in the Horn, & the vested interest many Gulf powers have. Recorded just before all hell broke loose in the Middle East. Will have a follow up addressing more recent developments.

globaldispatches.org

Ethiopia Is Sliding Fast Toward Major War

You need to be paying attention to Ethiopia right now.

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Fared Al Mahlool | فريد المحلول @faredalmahlool.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

The last photo of Mikaeil Mirdoraghi, a third-grade student killed in the reported U.S./Israeli strike on a primary school in Minab, Iran. He is waving goodbye to his mother.

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