US warns pilots of weapon fire as war nears Ethiopia capital
Source: AP
By CARA ANNA
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The United States is warning pilots that planes operating at one of Africa’s busiest airports could be “directly or indirectly exposed to ground weapons fire and/or surface-to-air fire” as Ethiopia’s war nears the capital, Addis Ababa.
The Federal Aviation Administration advisory issued Wednesday cites the “ongoing clashes” between Ethiopian forces and fighters from the northern Tigray region, which have killed thousands of people in a year of war. The U.S. this week urged its citizens in Ethiopia to “leave now,” saying there should be no expectation of an Afghanistan-style evacuation.
The Addis Ababa international airport is the hub for the state-owned Ethiopian Airlines, a symbol of Ethiopia’s former status as one of the world’s most rapidly growing economies before the war. The airline in recent years became Africa’s largest and best-managed carrier, turning Addis Ababa into the gateway to the continent. Addis Ababa is also the continent’s diplomatic capital as home of the African Union.
The FAA advisory notes no reports of disruptions at Bole International Airport and “no indication of an intent to threaten civil aviation,” but it says the risk to approaching and departing planes could increase if the Tigray fighters encircle the capital.
Planes sit on the tarmac at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Wednesday, March 10, 2021. The United States Federal Aviation Administration warned pilots on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 that planes operating at the airport could be "directly or indirectly exposed to ground weapons fire and/or surface-to-air fire," citing the "ongoing clashes" between Ethiopian forces and fighters from the northern Tigray region. (AP Photo/Cara Anna)
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/africa-united-states-kenya-ethiopia-addis-ababa-a29c7354cd52bd803cbd2e992da7c09f
