A devastating airstrike on a bustling town square in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people, marking the latest instance of violence in the country’s second-largest state. The attack took place in the early hours of Sunday morning in Finote Selam, a town located in Amhara’s West Gojjam zone, according to a local doctor who spoke to The Guardian.
The exact number of civilian casualties remains unclear. While residents claim that the attack specifically targeted members of the Fano ethnic militia who had gathered in the town center, they also reported that several innocent bystanders were caught in the crossfire. Hospital officials have confirmed that 26 people lost their lives, with at least 50 others sustaining injuries. This incident ranks among the deadliest single episodes since the outbreak of violence in Amhara in early August.
The Fano militia has taken control of multiple towns across Amhara, sparking concerns of another war in northern Ethiopia, just months after a two-year conflict in the neighboring Tigray region was brought to an end by a ceasefire. The militia’s actions have included freeing prisoners, vandalizing government offices, and looting weapons from police stations. In response, the government declared a state of emergency and shut down internet access.
Tanks have been deployed in major towns, including the regional capital of Bahir Dar, and artillery has been used in civilian neighborhoods. Security forces have also fired upon individuals blocking roads, although the authorities have not disclosed the number of civilian casualties resulting from these actions.
Following a week of intense fighting, the government announced on Wednesday that it had regained control of Amhara’s towns and pledged to restore services. However, there are concerns that the Fano militia may now resort to guerrilla warfare tactics. Clashes continue to be reported in rural areas.
Amhara forces had previously fought alongside federal troops in the Tigray conflict, capturing disputed territories. However, the relationship between the two factions deteriorated in April when the government announced plans to integrate regional forces into the military. The Amhara, Ethiopia’s second-largest ethnic group, argue that their voices were not adequately represented in the peace agreement that ended the conflict. They fear that the territories they fought hard to secure may be returned to Tigray.
In late April, unidentified gunmen, believed to be members of the Fano militia, assassinated the head of the local branch of the ruling Prosperity party. In June, the government claimed to have killed 200 “extremists” during a shootout at a remote monastery, with activists alleging that clergy were among the casualties.
The recent unrest has prompted Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights, and foreign governments have advised their citizens to remain indoors as regional government officials and members of parliament flee the violence.
On Friday, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries expressed their concerns about the escalating violence and called for a peaceful resolution. The World Health Organization and Save the Children have warned that the ongoing violence is disrupting humanitarian operations in Amhara.
Ethiopia’s parliament was scheduled to vote on the state of emergency on Monday. The measures outlined in the state of emergency include a ban on public gatherings and granting the police the authority to detain suspects without a court order.
The state-appointed human rights commission announced on Monday that it has received credible reports of civilian deaths this month. Additionally, it stated that there have been “widespread arrests of civilians who are of ethnic Amhara origin” under the emergency rules in the capital city of Addis Ababa. However, the authorities have denied allegations of mass arrests, asserting that only 23 individuals, including a prominent opposition politician, have been detained in Addis Ababa under the state of emergency.
What factors contributed to the escalation of violence in Amhara, particularly involving the Fano ethnic militia, and what measures are in place to prevent further conflict in the region
An airstrike in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has caused significant casualties, leaving at least 26 people dead and several others injured. The attack occurred in the town of Finote Selam in the early hours of Sunday morning. While it is believed that the strike targeted members of the Fano ethnic militia who had gathered in the town square, innocent bystanders were caught in the crossfire.
The exact number of civilian casualties is not yet known, but reports suggest that the death toll could be higher. This incident is one of the deadliest episodes of violence in Amhara since the outbreak of conflict in August.
The Fano militia has taken control of multiple towns in Amhara, raising concerns about the possibility of another war in northern Ethiopia. This comes just months after a two-year conflict in the neighboring Tigray region was brought to an end through a ceasefire agreement. The militia’s actions include releasing prisoners, vandalizing government offices, and looting weapons.
In response to the escalating violence, the government declared a state of emergency and imposed an internet shutdown. Tanks have been deployed in major towns, and artillery has been used in civilian areas. Security forces have also opened fire on individuals blocking roads, though the number of civilian casualties resulting from these actions is unclear.
After a week of intense fighting, the government announced on Wednesday that it had regained control of Amhara’s towns and pledged to restore services. However, there are concerns that the Fano militia may turn to guerrilla warfare tactics. Clashes are still being reported in rural areas.
Amhara forces had previously fought alongside federal troops in the Tigray conflict. They had captured disputed territories, but tensions arose when the government announced plans to integrate regional forces. The deteriorating relationship between the two factions led to the current violence in Amhara.
This is a tragic escalation of violence that only brings more suffering to both sides involved. It’s heartbreaking to see innocent lives lost in the midst of this conflict.