Hawassa, Ethiopia, Ethiopia held a major celebration this weekend marking the 65th anniversary of its Special Operations Command, drawing senior military leaders and government officials to a public event that also showcased the armed forces’ modern capabilities.
President Abiy Ahmed and top generals attended the ceremony in Hawassa International Stadium, where troops performed precision drills, waterborne exercises and coordinated airborne man oeuvres. The event also included a traditional Sidama community ceremony symbolizing unity and honour, underscoring both military pride and cultural heritage.
While the anniversary celebrations highlighted progress in the Ethiopian military’s development and reforms, they unfolded against the backdrop of **renewed tensions in the northern Tigray region. The area has been unstable since clashes resumed in late January 2026 between government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), raising fears of a fresh confrontation after the brutal conflict of 2020–22.
The show of force appeared intended to signal Ethiopia’s commitment to national defense and stability, even as the conflict’s humanitarian and political repercussions continue to shape conversations in Addis Ababa and beyond.