The United Kingdom has issued an urgent new travel warning for Ethiopia, formally advising against all travel to every part of the northern Tigray region following a surge in violence and the suspension of civilian flights.

The updated Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office guidance, published on 31 January 2026 and current as of 1 February, marks a sharp escalation in the UK’s risk assessment for the country and is already reshaping travel plans, humanitarian operations and aviation links across the Horn of Africa.

More News

UK Upgrades Ethiopia Risk Rating After Renewed Clashes

The latest advisory from the UK government states that officials now advise against all travel to Tigray, elevating the region to the highest risk category used in its foreign travel guidance. The move follows renewed clashes since late January between forces aligned with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian military, including reports of drone strikes and civilian casualties in northern Ethiopia. The government has also widened its strong warnings for other conflict-affected regions, highlighting the increasingly fragile security landscape across the country.

In practical terms, an “against all travel” designation signals that British authorities believe the risk to life is unacceptably high and that the state’s ability to assist its nationals on the ground is severely constrained. Insurance providers often treat such official advice as a trigger to restrict or invalidate cover, especially for medical evacuation and security-related incidents. That, in turn, greatly reduces the scope for organised tourism and business travel into affected areas.

The UK Embassy in Addis Ababa has underlined that consular staff cannot provide in-person support anywhere that falls under an “against all travel” warning. In the case of Tigray, that means British nationals who choose to remain or travel there despite the guidance could find themselves without access to emergency diplomatic help at precisely the moment they might need it most.

Tigray Once Again at the Centre of a Fast-moving Crisis

The Tigray region, which endured a devastating conflict between 2020 and 2022 that left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions, again finds itself at the centre of a rapidly evolving security emergency. According to the UK’s regional risk assessment, clashes between Tigrayan forces and federal troops have reignited since 26 January, with at least one civilian reportedly killed in drone strikes. While the intensity and geographic spread of the latest fighting remain fluid, the presence of air attacks and ground skirmishes has convinced foreign governments that the environment is too volatile for civilian travel.

Residents in Tigray’s capital Mekelle and other towns have been attempting to leave by road where possible, amid concerns of a broader return to war. International media and humanitarian sources have described queues at banks and fuel stations, alongside a sharp increase in military presence on key routes. Analysts warn that the renewed confrontation comes against a backdrop of unresolved political grievances since the November 2022 peace agreement and rising tension between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea, adding further layers of uncertainty to an already precarious situation.

Diplomatic observers note that, even before the latest flare-up, Tigray remained heavily scarred by the previous conflict, with damaged infrastructure, contaminated land and limited access for aid agencies. The resurgence of violence and subsequent travel bans threaten to stall fragile reconstruction efforts and deepen isolation for communities already struggling with the long-term impacts of war.

Compounding security fears, all civilian flights to and from Tigray have been suspended since 29 January 2026, according to updated UK government travel guidance. Ethiopian Airlines, the country’s national carrier, halted services to the region’s airports as reports of troop movements, drone surveillance and renewed clashes mounted. The airline has not provided a detailed public explanation for the continuing suspension, but the decision effectively seals off Tigray from commercial air access.

The grounding of flights has immediate consequences for both local residents and foreign nationals. For travellers, it eliminates a key evacuation route in the event of a sharp deterioration in the security situation. Overland travel options are limited and often risky, with reports of checkpoints, sporadic clashes and the presence of unexploded ordnance on rural routes, particularly near former frontlines. The UK advisory explicitly warns of landmine hazards along internal borders between Tigray and Amhara and in parts of the Tigrayan countryside, urging extreme caution and advising against leaving main roads.

Foreign governments, including the UK and other European states, are also concerned that the combination of airspace restrictions, conflict and patchy telecommunications could severely hamper any future evacuation or consular support operation. In previous crises, governments relied on commercial or charter flights as a core component of their contingency planning. With that option largely off the table for Tigray, contingency planning now revolves around limited overland corridors that may be subject to closure without notice.

Broader UK Warnings Cover Multiple Ethiopian Regions

While the headline shift concerns Tigray, the UK’s latest advisory sets out a map of risk that extends far beyond the northern region. British officials now advise against all travel not only to Tigray but also to the entire Amhara regional state and to the Gambela region in the west. Parts of the Afar region near the Eritrean border, as well as extensive stretches along borders with Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Kenya, are similarly categorised as off-limits due to conflict, inter-ethnic violence and banditry.

The government further warns that it advises against all but essential travel to some areas close to the Eritrean border and to parts of the Benishangul-Gumuz region. It highlights continued unrest in Oromia, including clashes between armed groups and security forces, sporadic protests and an uptick in criminal activity. While Addis Ababa remains outside the highest-risk classifications, authorities caution that the capital has seen rising street crime, increased security checks and occasional protests, all of which can lead to sudden road closures or communications disruptions.

For potential visitors seeking to understand what remains accessible, the picture is therefore complex and subject to rapid change. Major tourist draws such as the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Amhara or trekking routes in parts of Tigray are firmly out of bounds under current UK advice. Other destinations, including some of the country’s national parks and cultural sites, may still be reachable but require meticulous planning, robust security assessments and close monitoring of official advisories both before and during travel.

Implications for British Travelers and the Wider Tourism Industry

The upgraded warning carries far-reaching implications for British travelers, tour operators and the wider Ethiopian tourism economy. Many mainstream insurers either refuse to cover trips that go against official “do not travel” advisories or exclude key protections such as medical evacuation and security incidents. Prospective visitors may therefore find that even if a carrier or local operator is technically willing to accept a booking, the practical risk of travelling without full insurance is too high.

For those already in Ethiopia, the guidance encourages travellers to reconsider itineraries and to avoid any movement into prohibited regions. In areas where travel is still permitted, the UK government recommends heightened vigilance, the use of reputable transport providers and avoidance of large gatherings or political demonstrations, which have the potential to turn violent with little warning. Tour companies specialising in Ethiopia are urgently reviewing their schedules, rerouting or cancelling departures that would have visited the north and offering alternative itineraries focused on less volatile regions.

The travel and hospitality sector inside Ethiopia, which had been cautiously rebuilding after the end of the 2020–2022 conflict and the broader impact of the pandemic, now faces a fresh shock. Hotels and local guides in northern areas are likely to see a steep drop in bookings, while nationwide carriers and ground-transport operators will also feel the effect of reduced foreign arrivals. Industry analysts warn that repeated cycles of conflict and travel advisories can push destinations off international travel maps for years, even after security stabilises, due to lingering perceptions of risk.

Humanitarian Access and Consular Constraints

Beyond commercial tourism, the UK warning underscores growing concern about humanitarian access to affected communities in Tigray and neighbouring regions. Many international organisations rely on commercial flights, road convoys and predictable security conditions to deliver food, medical supplies and essential services. The combination of renewed clashes, flight suspensions and stringent government controls on movement is likely to further complicate already challenging aid operations.

The UK government notes that its embassy staff cannot travel to regions designated as “against all travel,” which not only limits direct consular support but also restricts the ability of diplomats to conduct on-the-ground assessments. Foreign nationals engaged in aid work, journalism or business are reminded that they may face elevated risks, including arbitrary detention, kidnapping or being caught in crossfire, particularly in areas where armed groups operate.

Human rights groups have raised concerns that tightened controls and security measures, including intensified scrutiny of passengers at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport and reports of individuals being prevented from boarding flights on ethnic grounds, could further constrain mobility. Travellers are advised to carry copies of their passports and to cooperate fully with security checks while remaining aware of their rights under local law.

Health, Security and Practical Advice for Those Still Travelling to Ethiopia

For travellers whose plans involve safer parts of Ethiopia and who choose to proceed, the UK advisory highlights a range of practical health and security considerations. Officials stress the importance of comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation, as healthcare infrastructure outside the capital is limited and specialist care may require transfer to another country. Recent health alerts note ongoing outbreaks of cholera in the south and northwest, the widespread presence of malaria in lower-altitude areas and waterborne diseases in many lakes and rivers.

Security guidance for permitted areas emphasises basic precautions such as avoiding travel after dark outside Addis Ababa, using hotel-arranged or app-based taxis, and keeping valuables out of sight. There has been a rise in violent muggings and bag snatching in some districts of the capital, and travellers are urged to avoid walking alone at night in known trouble spots. Road conditions can be poor, and accidents frequent, so independent driving requires considerable experience and preparation, including carrying food, water and a medical kit, and travelling in convoy where possible.

Authorities also warn of the potential for sudden internet and mobile network shutdowns, which can disrupt navigation, digital payments and contact with family or consular services. Travellers are encouraged to share detailed itineraries with a trusted contact, keep paper copies of key documents and maintain alternative means of communication where possible, such as satellite devices if travelling to remote areas.

FAQ

Q1: What exactly has the UK government said about travel to Tigray in 2026?
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office now formally advises against all travel to every part of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, citing renewed clashes between Tigrayan forces and the Ethiopian military and a sharply deteriorating security environment.

Q2: When was the latest Ethiopia travel advice from the UK updated?
The latest update to the UK’s Ethiopia travel advice was published on 31 January 2026 and remains current as of 1 February 2026.

Q3: Are flights still operating to Tigray?
No. All civilian flights to and from the Tigray region have been suspended since 29 January 2026, cutting off commercial air access for residents and foreign nationals.

Q4: Does the warning affect only Tigray, or other regions too?
The strongest warning applies to Tigray, Amhara and Gambela, where the UK advises against all travel. Parts of Afar and several border areas with Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and Kenya are also subject to strict travel warnings.

Q5: Can I still get travel insurance for trips to Ethiopia?
Insurance is generally difficult or impossible to obtain for areas where the UK advises against all travel, such as Tigray. However, some insurers may still cover trips to lower-risk regions of Ethiopia, provided travellers follow official guidance and policy conditions.

Q6: Is Addis Ababa considered safe to visit?
Addis Ababa is not currently under an “against all travel” warning, but the UK notes increased crime, tighter security checks and the possibility of protests and unrest. Travellers are urged to remain vigilant, avoid demonstrations and use reputable transport options.

Q7: What are the main risks if I ignore the Tigray travel warning?
Ignoring the warning exposes travellers to significant dangers including active fighting, drone strikes, landmines, arbitrary detention and the lack of reliable medical care or consular assistance. It may also invalidate travel insurance, leaving travellers financially and medically vulnerable.

Q8: How does the travel warning affect humanitarian and business travel?
Humanitarian and business travellers face heightened security, logistical and legal risks, especially in regions under “against all travel” status. Organisations are reassessing operations, and many are scaling back or relocating staff due to restricted access, flight suspensions and unpredictable local controls.

Q9: What should I do if I am currently in a high-risk region of Ethiopia?
Travellers already in high-risk areas are advised to follow local security advice, avoid movement unless absolutely necessary, maintain a low profile, and stay in close contact with their embassy and employers while exploring options to leave when it is safe to do so.

Q10: Where can I find the most up-to-date official guidance before travelling?
Prospective visitors should check the latest government travel advice issued by their own country shortly before departure and monitor it regularly during their trip, as conditions in Ethiopia can change at short notice.