Ethiopia Honors 65th Army Anniversary Amid Ongoing Tigray Tensions. Hawassa, Ethiopia — February 23, 2026 Lead Paragraph: Ethiopia commemorated the 65th anniversary of its Special Operations Command with a grand ceremony in Hawassa, where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted the military’s modernization.
The event coincided with simmering tensions along the Tigray border, a region that faced devastating civil war from 2020 to 2022.
At the Hawassa International Stadium, the anniversary was marked with the participation of senior military leaders, including Chief of General Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula and Deputy Chief General Abebaw Tadesse.
The Sidama community’s traditional Qeetala ceremony was performed, symbolizing honor and unity. Troops demonstrated their skills with precision drills, water-borne exercises, and coordinated airborne operations.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the transformation of the Special Operations Command under defense reforms, integrating airborne, commando, and counter — terrorism divisions. “
Ethiopia is a nation built by generations of heroes, “he stated.
The anniversary celebrations come against the backdrop of persistent tensions in northern Tigray, where the previous conflict resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties.
The military parade in Hawassa was seen as a show of force, indicating Ethiopia’s commitment to maintaining military readiness and safeguarding national sovereignty.
The situation in Tigray remains tense, with further developments and details expected as the situation evolves.
Further details about the government’s response to ongoing tensions are awaited.
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Source: Original article.
