Ethiopia: Officials arrest 15 people, prevent an attack on the UAE Embassy in Addis Ababa, Feb. 3

Event

Ethiopian security forces have arrested at least 15 people over a plot to attack the United Arab Emirate's (UAE) Embassy in Addis Ababa Feb. 3. An unspecified amount of arms, explosives, and documents were seized during the operation. Local sources said the suspected militants took the mission from a foreign terrorist group and had similar plans to attack the UAE's diplomatic mission in neighboring Sudan. Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and inform security services if they detect or witness anything suspicious. The authorities' statement did not provide any further details about the group or groups behind the purported threat.

A heightened security presence is possible in the coming days, especially near sensitive sites, such as diplomatic missions, entertainment venues, markets, and government buildings. Localized traffic disruptions are likely near incident sites, as authorities continue to investigate the threat.

Context

Terrorism poses a moderate threat in Ethiopia, stemming from Islamist extremist groups and domestic separatist nonstate armed groups. The Al-Shabaab militant group is considered one of the most prominent threats to Ethiopia's security. Al-Shabaab is opposed to the Ethiopian government's military involvement in the Somali conflict in support of the government in Somalia and regularly threatens to target Ethiopian interests; however, the group has not staged any significant attacks inside Ethiopia since December 2015.

Advice

Avoid the targeted site until police have completed their investigations. Expect heightened security near sensitive sites in the city. Allow additional driving time and follow the instructions of security personnel.