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Drone strikes in West Gojjam "killed more than 30 civilians" according to residents


September 19, 2023


Disclaimer: translation is for information purposes


The day before yesterday on September 17, 2023, drone strikes carried out in Dembecha town and Quarit Woreda of West Gojjam Zone killed many civilians according to local residents who spoke to BBC.


A resident of Quarit Woreda who preferred to remain anonymous out of fear for their security said the drone strikes affected the two areas.


They told BBC in the first attack, "civilians that were gathered en masse were victimized" adding "at least 30 people were killed".


The resident also told BBC they visited areas that were struck by the drones.


The resident said the attack took place in an area that was located far in distance from where the combatants were operating.


In the drone strike in the second area however no casualties were reported.


They said, "the second attack struck a forest, and so there were no human casualties or property destruction".


Residents told BBC that another drone strike, this time on Dembecha town in West Gojjam, also victimized civilians.


Town residents that spoke to BBC said the attack targeted the area near St. Mikael Church.


The resident who participated in burying the bodies of the deceased told BBC that at least 18 people were killed.


BBC reached out to government officials for comment on the drone strikes that were carried out in the Quarit and Dembecha areas, but did not receive an answer.


BBC previously reported a drone strike one month ago in Finote Selam city which killed over 30 civilians and injured more than 50 people.


Yesterday on September 18, 2023, the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia issued its second report indicating it had received reports that at least one drone strike was carried out in the region.


Near the city exit, there is ongoing fire with Fano militants however a city resident explained that there was no combatant presence where the attack was carried out.


National Defense Forces are operating in rural areas surrounding the city harassing residents and telling them "give us your weapons" which has reintensified fighting.


It was said fighting is ongoing in the city and that there is no movement inside.


The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported that government security forces have committed extrajudicial killings in various areas of Amhara Region who are told, "you are hiding weapons, surrender them".


In certain areas of Amhara Region in relation to the ongoing clashes, government security forces committed extrajudicial killings which the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) mentioned in its report on September 15, 2023.


Government security forces committed widespread extrajudicial killings including in Adet, Debre-Markos, Debre-Tabor, Jiga, Lemi, Majete, Merawi, Merto-Lemariam and Shewa Robit between July 31 - September 9, 2023.


Among the victims were those seized in house to house searches, those seized from the streets and unarmed people who were told, "you are hiding firearms".