Concern Over Escalation of Violence in Amhara Region and Surrounding Areas in Ethiopia

Statement from the Amhara Association of America (AAA)

Sunday, February 8, 2026 (Ihud, Yekatit 1, 2018 E.C.) 

Overview

The Amhara Association of America (AAA) expresses concern over new escalations in violence since January 2026 linked to the ongoing genocidal war on Amhara people in the Amhara Region and surrounding areas of Ethiopia. This escalation is a continuation of patterns of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity documented over the last three years of the war carried out by the Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP) regime led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, including the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and allied forces including Oromia Region Special Forces. Abuses were predominantly identitybased, targeting ethnic Amhara communities and persons affiliated to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC).

Patterns of Attacks on Civilians

AAA recorded mass killings in Raya-Kobo, Bugna, Wegdi, Jabi-Tehnan, Dembecha, AyoGuagusa, South Mecha, Gonji-Qolela, Guna-Begemidir and Telemt Districts of North Wollo, South Wollo, West Gojjam, Awi, North Gojjam, South Gonder and North Gonder Zones in Amhara Region. Almost all attacks were undertaken by OPP regime forces, except those in Telemt which implicated Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces. In Wegdi, recent attacks involved use of heavy artillery by regime forces under command of ENDF Generals Admassu Alemu and Zewdu Setarge which targeted residential areas inflicting significant civilian casualties with current estimates indicating more than 113 civilians killed and countless others injured in addition to substantial property losses. In Efratana-Gidim, attacks involved ethnic Oromo militias, backed by regime forces, which crossed over from the neighboring “Oromo Special Zone” in Amhara Region.

At least one mass killing event was also recorded in Dangur District of Metekel Zone in Benishangul-Gumuz Region, reportedly carried out by Gumuz militants. In addition, AAA recorded mass killings in Sibu-Sire and Dera Districts of East Wollega and North Shewa Zones in Oromia Region. These incidents implicated Oromo Special Commando (Geda Commando) Forces and Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militants, respectively.

Mass Arrests and Abductions

AAA recorded large-scale arrests and abductions of hundreds of civilians from Alamata City, Ofla, Lalibela City, Meket, Habru, Ambassel, Wegdi, Kombolcha, Efratana-Gidim, Debre-Markos City, Jabi-Tehnan, Dembecha, Wemberima, Ayo-Guagusa, North Mecha, Bahir-Dar City Districts in North Wollo, South Wollo, North Shewa, East Gojjam and North Gojjam Zones. Arrests were undertaken by OPP regime forces in all localities except for Alamata City and Ofla District where arrests/abductions were undertaken by TPLF forces.

In cases implicating state security forces, the mass detentions often coincided with major battlefield losses and victims were transported to military facilities as part of forced conscription practices and wartime propaganda (for state media propaganda depicting detainees as captured combatants). Forced conscription has also been utilized by TPLF forces in the Raya territory.

In addition, abductions took place in Dera, Were-Jarso, Gera and Honqolo Districts of North Shewa, Jimma and East Arsi Zones in Oromia Region. These incidents implicated a combination of OLA militants and unidentified militants. This is believed to be part of an ongoing campaign targeting communities based on ethnic Amhara identity and EOTC religious affiliation.

Internal Displacement Crisis

In late January 2026, TPLF forces’ incursion into areas in northeastern Amhara Region led to large-scale displacement of residents. The mobilization was accompanied by withdrawal of the regime-aligned Federal Command Post. The displacement occurred across Alamata City, Raya-Alamata, Raya-Bala, Korem City, and Ofla Districts (and surroundings), causing an influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in neighboring urban centers including Kobo City. The displacement occurred amidst months of targeted attacks, arrests, abductions and harassment by TPLF forces and the Tigrayan settler administration targeting residents and religious leaders affiliated with the EOTC.

This development has exacerbated the ongoing internal displacement crisis in the region which housed an estimated hundreds of thousands of IDPs displaced due to genocidal war, violence and persecution in the neighbouring Oromia Region and surroundings. Furthermore, lack of support from state authorities and international humanitarian organizations has led to a humanitarian emergency which is expected to worsen with the additional displacement.

Renewed Communications Blackout

Based on available information, renewed communications blackouts have been reported in numerous district and city administrations across Amhara Region and surrounding areas of Ethiopia. The disruptions began on February 2^nd, 2026 impacting all mobile, internet and telecommunications services with the exception of landline phones across South Wollo, North Shewa, East Gojjam, Awi, Central Gonder, and West Gonder Zones of Amhara Region and the neighboring North Shewa Zone of Oromia Region. Affected districts included Wegdi and Jama Districts of South Wollo Zone; Kewet, Ankober, Menz/Menz-Mama-Midir, Tarmaber, Merhabete, Efratana-Gidim, Berehet, Minjar-Shenkora, Asagirt, and Hageremariam-Kesem Districts of North Shewa Zone; Enarj-Enawga, Enemay, Shebel-Berenta, Enbise-Sar-Midir, Goncha-Siso-Enese, Bibugn and Dejen Districts of East Gojjam Zone; Jawi District of Awi Zone; Takusa, West Dembiya and Alefa Districts of Central Gonder Zone; and Qwara District of West Gonder Zone in Amhara Region. Disruptions were also reported in Dera Woreda of North Shewa Zone in Oromia Region. This disruption coincided with region-wide military operations and attacks on civilian populations by OPP regime forces. The shutdown has significantly restricted flow of information, disrupted communication, and heightened concerns over access to emergency services and independent reporting amid escalating military operations. Notably, communications restrictions imposed earlier in the year had significant impacts on residents.

Protection of Civilians, Respect for Human Rights and Repatriation of IDPs

The majority of incidents implicated regime forces with involvement of regional counterparts, TPLF and OLA militants across the affected regional administrations. Victims were predominantly ethnic Amhara communities, and the majority of attacks were justified under pretext that victims were Fano combatants (especially in the cases implicating federal/regional security forces). The nature of these atrocities is genocidal by definition and warrants condemnation by all observers which should urge protection of civilians and respect for human rights.

In the case of the Raya territory, the ongoing failure of the federal security apparatus to protect residents from revictimization is concerning. The internal displacement crisis resulting from the TPLF’s recent incursion into the Raya, Telemt and Welkait-Tegede-Setit Humera territories also warrants close engagement to provide immediate humanitarian relief for IDPs, create stability in affected areas, and repatriate IDPs to live in their rightful homes in safety and with dignity. More broadly, the OPP regime’s attempts to politicize and/or delay decisions related to the Amhara border and identity repatriation issue in Raya, Telemt and Welkait-Tegede-Setit Humera continues to undermine lasting peace in the region. The January 30, 2026 statement by the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) to place voting districts in these territories under the Tigray Region administration is one example. Attempts to treat the indigenous Amhara communities in these territories as political hostages reflect the divisive and malicious politics at play by the OPP regime to advance the regime’s Oromo nationalist hegemonic agenda.

This unprecedented escalation in violence has been enabled by state and military officials, state media, and state-organized NGOs. In particular, AAA notes the continued silence of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) under Chief Commissioner Berhanu Adello, which has ceased all reporting on human rights violation trends. Taken together, these trends indicate a troubling pattern of continued abuses, impunity and insecurity jeopardizing the safety of communities in various parts of the country.

Recommendations

AAA continues to call on influential nations, international agencies and human rights organizations to join in condemning emerging patterns of human rights violations in Ethiopia, including direct condemnation of the OPP regime and affiliated state armed groups. Further, AAA calls on international partner nations and monetary institutions to cease any and all monetary assistance which may be directed to procuring military equipment which may be used to commit further abuses, and utilizing tools such as targeted sanctions against officials and military leaders implicated in abuses, to curb the rise in abuses.

Read Statement

Statements