Djibouti’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed carrying out a drone strike on 30 January in Addorta, a locality it described as being within its territory, approximately six kilometers from the Ethiopian border. The ministry stated that the strike targeted a “logistical and operational base” for a terrorist group that had been under surveillance for a week. According to the statement, the operation resulted in the deaths of “eight terrorists” but also caused “collateral damage” involving civilians.

The ministry acknowledged the civilian casualties and announced that an investigation is underway. Humanitarian assistance has reportedly been dispatched to those affected by the strike.

The confirmation follows reports from Ethiopia’s Afar region, where residents told Addis Standard that drone attacks on the same night in Siyaru Kebele, Elidar district, near the Ethiopia-Djibouti border, killed at least eight people. Witnesses described the area being “hit multiple times during the night,” resulting in the deaths of civilians, including a pregnant woman and two brothers.

The Djiboutian League for Human Rights (LDDH) provided a higher death toll, claiming that “14 people died, including four women.” The organization condemned the attack, calling it a “war crime” and alleging that civilians were deliberately targeted.

As of now, the Ethiopian government has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. The strike has raised concerns about cross-border operations and the impact on civilians in the region.

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the Horn of Africa and the complex challenges of counterterrorism operations near international borders.