Activity picked up in October at the camp, which is located in the remote western region of Benishangul-Gumuz, near the border with Sudan, satellite images show. A senior Ethiopian government official, as well as four diplomatic and security sources, confirmed Getachew's role in launching the project. New recruits were spotted travelling to the camp in mid-November, two senior military officials said. A senior Ethiopian government official said construction on the camp was ongoing but did not elaborate on future building plans. A senior Ethiopian government official and one of the senior military officials said the Ethiopian military planned to turn the airport into a drone operation centre, in addition to at least five other drone centres they are aware of across Ethiopia.

Source: Ethiopian News February 10, 2026 11:18 UTC