• Internet and phone services disrupted in Tigray due to renewed fighting.
• The Tigray People's Liberation Front reportedly ordered network cuts to hinder government military advantages.
• Residents are panicking, leading to scarcity of supplies amidst concerns of a humanitarian crisis.

Internet and phone network disruptions have been reported in Ethiopia's Tigray region following an escalation in fighting between regional forces and the national army. The ruling party in Tigray, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), has allegedly ordered the shutdown of telecom services provided by state operator Ethio Telecom, leading to a significant breakdown in communications, while private operator Safaricom's services remain partly operational, according to Reuters and BBC.

The disruption is believed to be a tactical move by the TPLF, possibly aimed at neutralizing the Ethiopian military's advantages, particularly in drone warfare. Reports indicate that this situation may mirror the devastating telecommunications blockade from the previous civil war, which resulted in severe food shortages and famine-like conditions for the Tigrayan population, according to Al Jazeera.

In Tigray, the shutdown has triggered panic among residents, causing a rush to stock essential supplies and withdraw cash, reflecting fears of renewed humanitarian crises similar to those witnessed during the 2020-2022 conflict. Duke Burbridge, a humanitarian worker in Mekelle, emphasized that the lack of access to mobile banking services would be "devastating for everybody," especially after ongoing cash scarcity in the region, as reported by Reuters and BBC.

The current escalation in fighting has spread beyond Tigray into the neighboring regions of Afar and Amhara, raising concerns that this conflict may escalate further. Seven armed groups have formed an alliance to challenge Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration, sparking fears of an all-out war, according to Al Jazeera.