Jonathan Spicer and Giulia Paraavicini.

ISTANBUL/ADDIS ABABA – The United States has taken issue with Turkey’s sale of armed drones in Ethiopia. Two sources close to the situation said that there were mounting evidence suggesting the government used these weapons against rebel fighters.

Washington has “profound human rights concerns” about these sales. This could be in violation of U.S. restrictions on arms exports to Addis Ababa according to a top Western official.

It is one of Africa’s bloodiest conflict, with thousands of people killed and many millions displaced by the year-long civil war between Ethiopia’s government & the leaders of northern Tigray.

According to a State Department spokesperson, Jeffrey Feltman (U.S. Horn of Africa envoy) raised reports of drones being used in Ethiopia during a trip to Turkey last week.

Senior Turkish officials claimed that Washington expressed its dismay at the meeting, but Ethiopia’s government and military did not reply to specific requests.

Turkey is selling drones in Europe to Africa, Asia and Europe to many countries. Turkey has denied that the country plays destabilizing role in Africa, and said it was in contact with Ethiopian sides to encourage negotiations.

The United Nations has agreed to launch an independent inquiry into Ethiopian rights violations last week, which was strongly opposed by the government.

Tigrayan rebels said Monday they would withdraw from certain northern areas following government advances. They also requested a no fly zone for drones or other hostile aircraft in Tigray.

U.S. State Department tightened restrictions on May exports to Ethiopia of military products.

The White House authorized sanctions to be placed on anyone who is involved in any policies that could threaten stability or expand the crisis. However, there have been no signs of imminent actions against Turkey.

Although the U.S. Treasury is authorized to impose economic sanctions under this executive order to a wide range of countries, it declined to discuss whether or not sanctions might apply to Turkey.

A senior Turkish official stated that the foreign ministry was looking at how drone sales could impact U.S. policy in 2022 budget planning.

The person said to Reuters that “the United States has expressed its concern about Turkey’s drone sales…but Turkey will continue following the policies it established in this area.”

Ankara’s second top Turkish official from the defense ministry said that Ankara did not intend to interfere in any country’s internal affairs.

According to data from the Exporters’ Assembly, Turkish defense exports to Ethiopia jumped to nearly $95 Million in the first eleven months of 2021. This is a significant increase over what was almost nothing last year.

DRONES IN THE ACTION

Interviews by Reuters with Ethiopian Government soldiers near Gashena in the hills of Ethiopia, where the conflict is raging, revealed that a government offensive had been successful following an influx and use of airstrikes and drones to strike Tigrayan positions.

A Reuters team spotted the destroyed tanks and armored anti-aircraft vehicles there.

According to a foreign military official, based in Ethiopia, satellite imagery and evidence provided “clear indicators” that drones were used. It was estimated that as many as 20 of them were operational. Unknown how many could be Turkish-made.

Surveillance drones have had a greater impact…and are being very useful,” said the source. They also noted that the conflict was guerrilla warfare, making armed drones less efficient.

When asked if drone operators had been supplied by other countries, the official replied: “I’m sure that Turkish personnel were there at one time.”

Officials from Turkey and Ethiopia haven’t confirmed that the sale of drones took place, as Reuters reported at first in October. The foreign ministry also declined to respond to a request.

According to the statement, it said that last week’s U.S. envoy Feltman had met with Sedat Onal, Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal and discussed recent developments in Ethiopia and Somalia.

Ethiopia also purchased drones from United Arab Emirates. The United States did not reply to an inquiry about potential concerns. Feltman also was scheduled to visit UAE this month.

TURKISH EXPANSION

Ankara was able to send military equipment and training materials into Africa, the Middle East, and Somalia as part of President Tayyip Erdoan’s presidency.

Turkey’s military deployed its Bayraktar TB2 helicopters last year in Syria and Libya. It triggered interest worldwide from potential buyers in a market dominated primarily by U.S.-based, Chinese, and Israeli sellers.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Ethiopia could purchase drones from any country in October. Mevlut Cavrusoglu, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, stated last week that Africa engagement is based upon mutual benefit.

NATO allies Washington, Ankara and Ankara have had strained relations over several issues such as the Turkish purchase Russian missile defenses and U.S. support of Kurdish fighters fighting in northern Syria.

A spokesperson for the State Department stated that Feltman has stressed the need for “all outside actors” to push for peace negotiations in Ethiopia.

Ankara replied to U.S. concerns with humanitarian provisions and signed undertakings describing how it will use drones.