DW Amharic – Heavy fighting reported yesterday Monday between state and Fano forces in Mekane Selam
Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – Heavy fighting reported yesterday Monday between state and Fano forces in Mekane Selam
Esayas Gelaw
October 6, 2026 (Meskerem 26, 2019 EC)
Heavy fighting between state and Fano forces in Mekane Selam City and surroundings in Amhara Region has left a child killed and her family members wounded say residents. Heavy fighting in the vicinity of Mekane Selam had disrupted education and commercial activities, but as of today peaceful activity has returned say residents.
From yesterday to today morning at 6:30 am heavy fighting between state and Fano forces took place in Mekane Selam City and surroundings in South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region according to city residents who spoke with DW. Since yesterday afternoon the fighting slowed down said residents of Mekane Selam City adding residents partially returned to normal activities.
“Today is better. Things were more serious yesterday. Today there has been a lull. Last night there was occasional heavy artillery fire which we heard. But things were serious up until 1 pm yesterday. We didn’t leave our home either. The gunfire was heavy artillery. Some of what we heard was heavy artillery fired continuously like Kalashnikovs. But now there has been a lull, now there is calm within the city. Perhaps we should be thankful for the extent of damages considering the amount of fire.”
A teacher informed us that there had been numerous gunfire exchanges in the area prior to this and that yesterday’s war was more than ever before. They added that they were unable to teach students which attended class.
“Yesterday and now like this...we have been disturbed like this many times before, but this kind of mechanized weaponry made the situation difficult...rockets, other things...there were various kinds of weapons which made it different from before and the situation was difficult. The casualties, the situation, and other details in whichever rural area...are unknown to us for the time being, unless that is you leave from here and join the people. It was difficult to move outside of our home. Even today we entered with fear. But we haven’t been able to teach the students, because the students were not well. They saw the army soldiers (ENDF) firing, they were afraid.”
According to a source in Mekane Selam City which mentioned regular peaceful social activity said war had taken place in various parts of the city
“It was the ENDF here, but they withdrew after entering. I don’t think they stayed long. It was in one area, then another area, then in the Debre Maryam area so it was in two or three areas. They could not pass through. On this side, there is an area called Bogolo. From the northern direction, that is where they entered and withdrew. So, there was very intense heavy artillery, and the fighting was conducted with heavy artillery.”
Yesterday the war in Mekane Selam City and surroundings left one child killed and her family members wounded according to a city resident.
“Civilians were hurt in the Hoyehe area. A young girl was killed. Then her mother and father were severely wounded and taken to hospital. Currently it is the ENDF itself in that area. Now there is complete silence. There is no activity there. Starting from morning, students would occasionally pass through to go to school. Workers have begun returning to work. But the situation yesterday was very frightening.”
“The civilian impact was towards Kebele 03 an area called Goye where a household was impacted, a child was killed. Something landed on the house, but I am not aware of which side it came from, but starting from the morning there was a lull in the air. Now the public has returned to normal activity as usual. But I do not think schools have reopened today. This is due to ongoing fears from their side, but overall, the atmosphere in the city is calmer, there is a lull.”
Efforts to contact city officials to confirm casualties from yesterday’s fighting in Mekane Selam City were unsuccessful.
Esayas Gelaw
Negash Mehamed
Eshete Bekele
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