US concerned by Turkey's drone sales to Ethiopia

The US authorities have taken issue with Turkey over its sales of armed drones to Ethiopia, where two sources familiar with the matter said there was mounting evidence that the government had used the weapons against rebel fighters, Reuters has reported. Washington has “profound humanitarian concerns” over the sales, which could contravene US restrictions on arms to Addis Ababa, a senior Western official said.

The year-long war between Ethiopia’s government and the leadership of the northern Tigray region, among Africa’s bloodiest conflicts, has killed thousands of civilians and displaced millions.

A State Department spokesman said US Horn of Africa envoy Jeffrey Feltman “raised reports of armed drone use in Ethiopia and the attendant risk of civilian harm” during a visit to Turkey last week. According to a senior Turkish official, Washington conveyed its discomfort at a few meetings. Ethiopia’s military and government did not respond to detailed requests for comment.

Turkey, which is selling drones to several countries in Europe, Africa and Asia, has dismissed criticism that it plays a destabilising role in Africa and has said that it is in touch with all sides in Ethiopia to urge negotiations.

Tigrayan rebel forces said on Monday that they were withdrawing from some northern regions after government advances. In a letter to the UN, they called for a no-fly zone for drones and other hostile aircraft over Tigray.

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The US State Department clamped down in May on exports of defence products for Ethiopia’s armed forces. In September, the White House authorised sanctions on those engaged, even indirectly, in policies that threaten stability, expand the crisis or disrupt humanitarian assistance there, though there has been no indication of any such imminent action against Turkey. The US Treasury, which has broad economic sanctions authority, declined to comment on whether sanctions could apply to Turkey.

The senior Turkish official said that the foreign ministry examined how the drone sales might be affected by US foreign policy as part of 2022 budget planning. “The US has conveyed its discomfort with Turkey’s drone sales… but Turkey will continue to follow the policies it set in this area,” Reuters was told.

A second senior Turkish official, from the defence ministry, insisted that Ankara had no intention of meddling in any country’s domestic affairs.

Turkish defence exports to Ethiopia surged to almost $95 million in the first 11 months of 2021, from virtually nothing last year, according to Exporters’ Assembly data.

Ethiopian government soldiers interviewed by Reuters near Gashena, a hillside town close to the front line, said a recent government offensive succeeded following an influx of reinforcements and the use of drones and air strikes to target Tigrayan positions. A Reuters’ team spotted destroyed tanks and armoured anti-aircraft trucks there.

A foreign military official based in Ethiopia said satellite imagery and other evidence gave “clear indications” that drones were being used, and estimated that up to 20 were operating. It was unclear how many might be Turkish-made.

“Surveillance drones are having a greater impact …and being very helpful,” the official explained, adding that the guerrilla-warfare nature of the conflict made armed drones less useful. Asked whether foreign countries had also supplied drone operators, the official replied, “I know Turkish personnel were here at one point.”

Turkish and Ethiopian officials have not publicly confirmed the sale and purchase of drones, which Reuters first reported in October. Turkey’s foreign ministry did not respond to a request for further details. However, it said last week that US envoy Feltman and Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal had discussed developments in Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan.

Ethiopia has also bought drones from the UAE, which did not respond to a request for comment about possible US concerns. Feltman was also scheduled to visit the UAE earlier this month.

Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara has poured military equipment into Africa and the Middle East, including the training of armed forces in Somalia, where it has a base. The Turkish military used its Bayraktar TB2 drones last year with success in Syria, Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, prompting interest from buyers globally in a market led by US, Chinese and Israeli manufacturers.

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In October, a Turkish foreign ministry spokesman said that Ethiopia is free to procure drones from anywhere. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said last week that engagement with Africa was based on mutual benefit.

Ties between NATO allies Washington and Ankara are strained over several issues, including Turkey’s purchase of Russian missile defence systems and US support for Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.

The State Department spokesperson said that Feltman had underscored that “now is the time for all outside actors to press for negotiations and end the war” in Ethiopia. The Western official, who requested anonymity, noted that Ankara had responded to US concerns by saying that it attaches humanitarian provisions to the Ethiopia deal and requires signed undertakings outlining how drones will be used.