GENEVA: The United Nations reported on Friday that approximately 50 civilians have been killed in clashes and attacks in Ethiopia’s Amhara region over the past month. The region, Ethiopia’s second most populous, has been grappling with unrest for months, witnessing conflicts between the Ethiopian military and ethnic Amhara militia known as Fano in recent weeks.
Expressing deep concern, Seif Magango, a spokesman for the UN human rights office, urged all parties to refrain from unlawful attacks and take measures to protect civilians amid the ongoing clashes. The UN particularly highlighted the devastating impact of drone strikes on the population in the Amhara region.
According to Magango, at least 47 civilians were killed in five separate attacks since early October, all of whom were civilians. The Ethiopian army recently regained control of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site, after clashes with Fano militia.
Deadly Attacks in Ethiopia
Magango detailed that a drone attack on a bus station in Waber on November 9 resulted in the death of 13 people waiting to board a bus. Another drone allegedly launched by government forces struck a primary school in Wadera district on November 6, killing seven people, including three teachers.
Reports also indicated that government forces shelled residential areas in the Central Gondar Zone on November 4, leading to the death of six people and injuring 14. Magango stressed that such attacks constitute arbitrary deprivation of life under international human rights law.
Additionally, Fano militia reportedly killed 21 people, including government and ruling party officials, in separate attacks on October 9 and 28. Tensions between Fano and federal troops escalated after the announcement of dismantling regional forces across Ethiopia in April, leading to a state of emergency imposed by the Ethiopian government in August.
