Summary of recent recorded drone and air strikes in Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Updated October 29, 2024
Overview
The Amhara Association of America (AAA) has documented human rights violations and conflict developments in the context of the war in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region.[1] Throughout the conflict the Oromo Prosperity Party regime’s armed forces, primarily the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has carried out drone and air strikes which have resulted in disproportionate civilian casualties.[2, 3]
For the period between September 25th and October 24th, 2024 (29 day period), over 43 drone and airstrikes were reported across 28 incidents.
The incidents were reported across 22 woreda administrations in 9 zonal administrations of Amhara Region. Zones in which incidents were recorded include West Gonder, Central Gonder, South Gonder, North Gojjam, Awi, West Gojjam, East Gojjam, North Shewa and North Wollo Zones.
Casualties were confirmed in 21 incidents. Though the majority of recorded incidents involved deadly attacks, in some instances sightings were attributed to aerial surveillance however, attacks have often been reported following periods of surveillance. In some incidents, attacks resulted in property losses.
Over the reporting period, 273 casualties were recorded including 196 persons killed and 77 injured with the majority being civilians. Among the victims were young children, women, and elderly persons.
The following table summarizes drone and airstrikes recorded for the period between September 25th and October 24th, 2024.
Drone strikes have been previously recorded for the 12 month period since the announcement of the state of emergency in Amhara Region on August 4, 2023.
Between October 16, 2023 and May 12, 2024, AAA documented 53 confirmed deadly drone strikes over 35 distinct incidents which resulted in 551 civilian casualties including 433 killed and 118 injured. These strikes were found to frequently target civilian gatherings at marketplaces, clinics, ambulances, and schools.
The recent re-intensification of drone strikes has been justified by regime military and political leaders claiming to target Fano combatants.
In summary, the total number of recorded drone and airstrikes for the period from August 4th, 2023 to October 24th, 2024 is 95 which resulted in 824 civilian casualties including 629 killed and 195 injured.
Details of recent recorded drone and airstrikes are provided here by reporting time period (weekly basis) and administrative zone.