Addis Ababa, October 17, 2026 (FMC) — Military attachés representing several countries stationed in Ethiopia have expressed support for Ethiopia’s sovereignty and the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF), commending the military’s efforts to protect civilians and safeguard the country’s territorial integrity.
The attachés made the remarks after receiving a briefing from ENDF leadership at Ethiopian Air Force Base in Bishoftu on the current security situation, ongoing military operations and weapons seized during the operations.
They said the briefing provided firsthand, authoritative information on developments on the ground, helping address information gaps and uncertainty surrounding the security situation that had circulated through social media and other channels.
Bangladesh Defence Attaché Brigadier General G. M. Shariful Islam said the briefing was particularly important because accurate information from official sources had been lacking since the outbreak of fighting on September 23. He said the presentation was informative and helped clarify the situation.
“Ethiopia has the legitimate right to protect their sovereignty from any kind of foreign aggression or maybe from any kind of internal conflict,” he said.
Shariful Islam also commended the ENDF’s efforts to protect civilian lives, minimize collateral damage and target legitimate military objectives. He said Ethiopia’s defence operations should be understood in the context of its responsibility to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while respecting international humanitarian law and civilian rights.
He expressed solidarity with the Ethiopian government and armed forces, emphasizing the importance of compliance with human rights and applicable laws, and voiced hope that the escalation would subside and peace would return to northern Ethiopia.
Tanzania Defence Attaché Brigadier General Ian Alphonse Haure said the briefing had addressed his questions about the activities of the TPLF and other armed groups. He said the information presented had reassured him about the security situation in Addis Ababa and Ethiopia more broadly.
Haure praised the ENDF’s efforts to protect civilian lives and direct operations against armed groups responsible for insecurity, expressing confidence that the situation was moving towards calm.
Kenya Defence Attaché Brigadier General Roba Bonaya Wario said the briefing helped fill information gaps in mainstream and social media. Given the shared border between Kenya and Ethiopia, he stressed that developments in Ethiopia’s security situation have direct implications for Kenya.
He recognized the ENDF’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard Ethiopia’s security, stability and sovereignty, adding that the briefing indicated the military was acting within applicable laws. He expressed optimism that stability would return and Ethiopia would continue to prosper.
Gabon Defence Attaché Colonel Aristide Anguilet also welcomed the briefing, describing direct engagement with the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence as the proper way to obtain official information amid the circulation of potentially false or inaccurate reports on social media.
He encouraged Ethiopia to continue providing briefings to military attachés and the diplomatic community, and supported the country’s efforts to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of both Ethiopian citizens and foreign nationals living in the country.
Australian Defence Attaché Colonel Karen Such, who is also Vice Dean of the Military Attaché Association, said the briefing had been valuable for the international defence community because it allowed attachés to hear directly from ENDF leadership and the Ministry of Defence’s diplomatic leadership.
“I really respect ENDF’s efforts to protect the sovereignty of Ethiopia,” she said, underscoring the importance of countries respecting one another’s borders and sovereignty and living together in peace and harmony.
South Sudan Deputy Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Poul Chamu said the briefing had enabled representatives of foreign governments to obtain more accurate information from the ground and communicate it to their respective authorities.
He commended Ethiopia’s efforts to support peace and assist communities affected by the conflict, describing the country’s approach as a “war of humanity.” He called on the international community to stand behind Ethiopia’s peace efforts and engage with both sides of the conflict to help bring about a peaceful resolution.
“If there is a war in Ethiopia, it means that there is no peace in South Sudan. If there is peace in Ethiopia, the peace will come in South Sudan also,” Chamu said, expressing support for Ethiopia’s pursuit of peace.
The attachés’ remarks highlighted the wider regional importance of Ethiopia’s security and stability, particularly for neighbouring countries whose peace and security are closely connected to developments within Ethiopia.
Their comments also underscored the importance of direct, official briefings in helping diplomatic and military representatives assess security developments beyond competing narratives circulating in the media.
The briefing forms part of Ethiopia’s engagement with the international diplomatic and military community on the security situation and the ENDF’s responsibilities in defending the country’s sovereignty, protecting its citizens and maintaining territorial integrity.