War in Amhara

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War in Amhara
Part of the Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)

Map of Ethiopia showing areas of Fano militia presence (in yellow) and areas under the control of the Ethiopian government (in pink)
Date9 April 2023 – present
(11 months and 3 days)
Location
Amhara Region and the Western Zone
Status

Ongoing

  • Heavy clashes erupt between Fano and ENDF in August 2023
Belligerents
Fano militia[1]

 Ethiopia

Commanders and leaders

Eskinder Nega

Zemene Kassie[6][7]
Mihretu Wodajo[8]		 Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed
Ethiopia Birhanu Jula
Ethiopia Abebaw Tadesse
Ethiopia Abraham Belay
Amhara Region Yilkal Kefale
Amhara Region Arega Kebede

The War in Amhara is an armed conflict in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia that began in April 2023 between the Amhara regional forces along with the Fano militia, and the Ethiopian government. The conflict began after the Ethiopian military raided the Amhara Region to disarm the Amhara Special Forces and other regional allies, which resulted in resistance of local armed forces and a series of protests in Gondar, Kobo, Sekota, Weldiya and other cities on 9 April.

On 27 April, the head of Amhara's Prosperity Party Girma Yeshitila was assassinated in Menz, North Shewa. The Ethiopian government accused the Fano militia's eastern faction for the assassination and plotting the overthrow of the government. The Ethiopian security forces said on 30 April that 47 suspects were arrested by the Ethiopian government in connection with an alleged assassination plot. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) stated on 4 May 2023 that militarized situations were present in four towns of the North Gondar, North Wollo and North Shewa zones.

Further escalation erupted on 1 August between Fano and ENDF troops in Gondar, Debre Tabor and Debre Markos. Following the seizure of Lalibela on 2 August by Fano fighters, the Amhara regional government under Yilkal Kefale request help to the federal government, resulting in a six-month state of emergency on 4 August. The ENDF seized Gondar and Lalibela on 8 August. Just after controlling much parts of the region, ENDF carried out a drone strike in Finote Selam on 13 August, killing 26 people according to the hospital source.[9] The Europe External Programme with Africa (EEPA) reported that the ENDF conducted door-to-door searches and began extrajudicial killing against residents, mostly young men. At least 70 civilians were killed by the execution.[10]

The war exploited massive human right violations and property damages carried out by Ethiopian authority according to numerous human rights groups including the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Amnesty International.[11] EHRC said that 45 civilians were killed in Amhara region by security forces for allegedly supporting Fano in late January 2024.[12] Amnesty International verified the extrajudicial killings of ENDF troops between 10 and 11 October 2023 against health workers, including threatening them with gunpoint.[13] Despite perceived popular support, the absence of unified leadership within the Fano groups has raised questions regarding the insurgency's long-term sustainability.[14]

Background[edit]

The Amhara regional forces played a crucial role during the Tigray War, fighting alongside the Ethiopian National Defense Force against the TPLF-led Tigray Defense Forces.[15] Amid the Tigray War in early 2021, there was strife in the Oromia Special Zone of the Amhara Region where fighting occurred between the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and Amhara Special Forces. Local witnesses told that the OLA, along with other ethnic Oromo militants, overwhelmingly took control of Ataye town on 20 March 2021.[16] The OLA was actively allied with the Tigrayan rebels at the time.

Fano fighters near the Saint George Church in Lalibela shortly after recapturing it from the TDF during the Tigray War

The November 2022 peace agreement which was signed between the Tigrayan and Ethiopian government counterparts opened the door for the OLA insurgency to intensify amidst security and provisional reform in Tigray. As a result, OLA had participated in massacres of ethnic Amharas in the Oromia region.[17] In May 2022, Abiy Ahmed government arrested 4,000 people in Amhara to undermine Fano militia rebellion who were critical to his power.[18]

Initial Fano objectives as of March 2020 was for Benishangul-Gumuz Region's Metekel Zone, the northern districts of Welkait and Raya in Tigray, as well as the southern district of Dera to be placed under the control of the Amhara Region.[19] The military stalemate that preceded the November 2022 peace agreement precluded any land swap in the region, as Ethiopian leaders no longer were interested in supporting Fano's territorial goals. This, coupled with the OLA insurgency in the area, rapidly led to a worsening of relations between Fano and the federal government, which had been ironclad allies just a few years before.

On 11 September 2022, senior Fano leader Zemene Kase was arrested by the order of Bahir Dar court following an allegation of murder of a police officer. Zemene was used to hiding from authority insight during the government crackdown before his arrest. After thorough investigation, the Bahir Dar prison released Zemene on 3 June 2023.[20]

Outbreak and emergency[edit]

In early April 2023, federal forces stormed into the Amhara region to disarm regional and paramilitary forces. The local civilians moved to remote areas, as the resistant fighters joined a protest with police forces. On 9 April, large-scale protests were flared up in Gondar, Kobo, Seqota, Weldiya and other cities, including road obstruction and setting tires ablaze to block the incoming Ethiopian Army.[21][22] The Ethiopian government started to repress opposition media in the region, as well as the killing aid workers by unknown assailants which led the World Food Programme and other NGOs to stop aid operation in that area.[23] Two Catholic Relief Services (CRS) were killed near town Kobo region.[24] According to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, one of their ambulance was shot by unknown militants in Central Gondar Zone, injuring a midwife and driver.[25]

On 4 May, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported a series of militarized situations in the area of North Gondar, North Wollo and North Shewa zones in the town of Shewa Robit, Armania, Antsokiyana Gemza and Majete. The Amhara regional government accused the Fano militia's eastern faction for the assassination of the head of Amhara Prosperity Party Girma Yeshitila on 27 April.[26] Subsequently, the Ethiopian security forces arrested 47 suspects allegedly connected to the assassination plot, accusing them for plotting to overthrow the authorities. The public broadcaster EBC stated that the suspect caught in variety weapons and utilities including weapons, bombs and satellite communications equipment.[27]

Fano–ENDF clashes[edit]

On 1 August 2023, clashes erupted between the Fano militia and the ENDF in Debre Tabor and Kobo while ENDF troops attempted to push back Fano from these cities. Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen stated in a rare occasion that security problems in different areas of Amhara region were becoming "concerning."[28] On 2 August, Fano captured the Lalibela Airport. Through the public broadcaster EBC, ENDF spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adane threatened to bring the military campaign against Fano if they continued "disturbing the country's peace". The Spanish embassy in Ethiopia urged tourists not to leave the city. Heavy clashes were reported around Gondar that same day.[29][28][30] On 3 August, Amhara regional governor Yilkal Kefale requested help from the ENDF to quell the clashes.[31]

On 4 August, the Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency after the Amhara regional government requested federal troops for help. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the declaration was necessary as it had become "difficult to control this outrageous activity based on the regular legal system." A curfew and warrantless arrests were introduced and public gatherings were banned.[32] Later it was reported that Gondar, Lalibela and Dessie had fallen under Fano control.[33][34] On 5 August, Fano militiamen claimed to have captured Merawi and were aiming to encircle Bahir Dar.[35] On the same day, the Ethiopian security forces announced that they arrested ten people connected to "the security crisis in Amhara".[36]

The Director-General of the Information Network Security Agency Temesgen Tiruneh stated on 6 August that irregular Amhara forces captured towns, released prisoners and seized government institutions. On 7 August, the Ethiopian government acknowledged they lost control in some towns and districts in the region.[37] They were able to push back Fano and control Gondar and Lalibela in the following day. A Fano militiaman told to the Reuters that the ENDF was accompanied by anti-riot police and pro-government militiamen.[38][39] The military advanced their control into six towns and flight resumed.[40][41]

According to a statement by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), in Debre Birhan city, due to heavy fighting in four densely populated kebeles on 6 and 7 August 2023, civilians including in a hospital, church, and school as well as residents in their neighborhoods and workers in their workplaces were apparently killed due to fragments from heavy artillery or in crossfire. IDPs in Debre Birhan were also at risk of being caught in the crossfire, particularly those in what is commonly known as the "China IDPs" site near Kebele 8, which hosts close to 13,000 people.[42]

The EHRC stated that it received credible reports that in many areas of Bahir Dar civilians were killed on the streets or outside their houses while some youths were specifically targeted for searches and subjected to beatings and killings. There are credible reports of many civilian casualties and damages to property in various parts of Gondar and extra-judicial killings in Shewa Robit by the security forces, the details of which were yet to be fully investigated and verified as of 14 August 2023.[42]

On 13 August, the ENDF carried out a drone strike on the town of Finote Selam, killing 26 people according to the hospital source. The following day, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) told they receive reports of strike and shelling in Finote Selam that causes civilian casualties.[43]

On 3 September, the ENDF captured the town of Majete from Fano. The EEPA reported that the ENDF conducted door-to-door searches in the town and had committed extrajudicial killings against the residents, including the execution of young men. At least 70 civilians were killed in these executions.[10]

On 24 September, Fano re-entered the city of Gondar and clashed with the ENDF. The ENDF sustained multiple casualties during this engagement.[44]

On 8 November, Fano briefly recaptured Lalibela by pushing back the ENDF base to rural areas, before the ENDF were able to seize the town in the following day. The government spokesperson, Legesse Tulu, criticize some reports that detail the violence during fighting.[45] The UN estimated on 17 November that nearly 50 civilians have died in the clashes over the past months. Seif Magango, a spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, said in a statement that "It is imperative that all parties refrain from unlawful attacks and take all necessary measures to protect civilians."[46]

On 3 January 2024, Fano clashed with ENDF in the city of Debre Birhan.[47]

On 8 January, Fano re-entered Gondar city for the third time and clashed with the ENDF. ENDF artillery use in the city reportedly resulted in up to 14 civilian deaths.[48]

On 24 February, the Ethiopian federal government had decided to close the road leading from Shewa Robit to Dessie due to heavy fighting in certain areas between the two cities.[49]

On 29 February, Fano begun offensive operations against the ENDF in Bahir Dar. Multiple flights from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar have been reportedly canceled.[50]

On 3 March, Fano clashed with the ENDF in the city of Shewa Robit.[51]

Human rights violations[edit]

See also: Human rights in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said that many human rights violations have occurred throughout Amhara Region. The EHRC said that the Ethiopian Air Force's airstrikes and drone strikes on the cities of Debre Birhan, Finote Selam, and Bure has caused civilian casualties as well as damage to residential and public areas. Reuters reported that a drone strike on the town of Finote Selam left 26 civilians dead and 55 people injured.[52] Civilians in Bahir Dar were reportedly dragged out of their homes and "killed on the streets or outside their houses while some youths were specifically targeted for searches and subjected to beatings and killings." People of Amhara origin in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa were reportedly subjected to widespread arrests by security forces.[53]

The EHRC also said it had received "credible reports" that extrajudicial killings by security forces had taken place in Shewa Robit and that civilian casualties and property damage had occurred in Gondar.[53] On 7 December, EHRC estimated the death toll of civilians up to 50 since the last November attacks. In other instance, EHRC also accounted OLA attacks in which they killed 17 people and burnt village in Benishangul-Gumuz Region, especially between 23 and 29 November after the failed peace talks between the OLA and the government in Tanzania.[54]

Drone strikes in late 2023 mostly killed civilians, according to media reports. BBC News reported 30 to 40 people killed in a strike in Sayint district on 10 December. Al Jazeera English obtained footage of a 30 November drone strike that killed five civilians, including hospital staff, near Delanta Primary Hospital in Wegel Tena. The footage showed "an ambulance ablaze with its roof caved in, consistent with a direct aerial hit.[55]

On 30 January 2024, ENDF reportedly carried out a massacre in Merawi that resulted in at least 89 civilian deaths.[56][57]

On 19 February, near Sela Dingay, Mojana district an ENDF drone struck a truck of full of civilians returning from a baptism resulting in at least 30 civilian deaths.[58]

Reactions[edit]

The United States was "deeply concerned" about the violence, while Spain and the United Kingdom warned their citizens against travelling to parts of Amhara.[36] WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom stated on 7 August that "humanitarian access is difficult due to blockage of roads; communication is difficult due to internet suspension, conflicts have an immediate impact on people's health and can have grave, long-lasting consequences on health systems. We call for uninterrupted access and protection of health care in Amhara, so [that] WHO and partners can continue our work. Above all, we call for peace."[59]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "UNDERSTANDING THE FANO INSURGENCY IN ETHIOPIA'S AMHARA REGION". 25 February 2024.
  2. ^ "At Least 26 Killed in Drone Strike in Ethiopia's Amhara Region". VOA. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Ethiopian airstrike on a town square in the restive Amhara region kills 26, health official says". Washington Post. 14 August 2023. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  4. ^ ACLED, Communications (10 August 2023). "EPO Weekly: 29 July-4 August 2023". Ethiopia Peace Observatory. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
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  28. ^ a b Endeshaw, Dawit (2 August 2023). "Ethiopian military clashes with militia in Amhara, injuries reported". Reuters. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
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  48. ^ Account (8 January 2024). "Battle Reported in Gondar City, Resulting in 14 Deaths, Including Civilians". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
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  50. ^ Mandefro, Hone (1 March 2024). "Fano entered the regional capital Bahir Dar". X.com.
  51. ^ Account (4 March 2024). "Shewa Robit town reportedly came under Fano control". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
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  53. ^ a b Dejene, Liya (14 August 2023). "The human rights impact of the armed conflict on civilians in Amhara Regional State". Ethiopian Human Rights Commission - EHRC. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  54. ^ AfricaNews (6 December 2023). "Ethiopia: more than 50 civilians killed in November attacks". Africanews. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  55. ^ Zecharias Zelalem (29 December 2023), 'Collective punishment': Ethiopia drone strikes target civilians in Amhara, Al Jazeera English, Wikidata Q124059950, archived from the original on 31 December 2023
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  57. ^ AAA-admin (5 February 2024). "Preliminary Report on the Merawi Massacre". Amhara Association of America. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  58. ^ Account (23 February 2024). "At least 30 civilians were killed in the latest drone strike in the North Shoa Amhara region". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  59. ^ "WHO expresses concern, calls for uninterrupted access and protection of health care in Amhara region". Addis Standard. 7 August 2023. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
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