DW Amharic – The war between state soldiers and Fano militants in Amhara Region
Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – The war between state soldiers and Fano militants in Amhara Region
Esayas Gelaw
October 8, 2026
Intense conflict between state and Fano forces in the Menz territory (Mehal Meda, Zemero and Molale) of North Shewa Zone in Amhara Region has led to severe casualties including civilian harm, residents told Deutsche Welle. It was mentioned that after heavy artillery was heard yesterday in Mekane Selam City of South Wollo, normal activity has resumed today.
Residents said war took place between state and Fano forces in Mehal Meda Town of Menz Gera District and in Zemero Town of Menz Keya District in North Shewa Zone of Amhara Region. A resident of Zemero who spoke to Deutsche Welle on condition of anonymity said the conflict took place across all four areas of the Menz territory.
“Yesterday there had been conflict throughout the day across Menz except in Molale so across Zemero, Mehal Meda, Lalo...Menz Keya, Menz Gera, Mehal Meda...there wasn’t in Menz Lalo, there was no war there. It was more severe in Menz Keya and Menz Mehal Meda...there was significant loss of life.”
A resident of Mehal Meda Town which spoke to Deutsche Welle said the conflict began yesterday at 5 pm and has been ongoing.
“The conflict began at around 5 pm...it began in that area. So, at around 10 pm the militants entered the town...it was around 3 or 4 hours...the conflict...hasn’t stopped...war between two brothers is very severe. As Ethiopians our blood is the same so since the blood of the two is the same this is a severe war that is taking place.”
Fighting yesterday spanned all areas of the Menz territory according to another source mentioning clashes took place in the areas of Zemero, Mehal Meda, and Molale.
“Even homes have been hit, today’s situation is more severe than usual. A little yes...at once in Zemero and there...here in Molale, in the center so they don’t cross over there...they initiated it in numerous areas. Was it also along the road from here in Molale towards the entrance of Mehal Meda? There in Mehal Meda and Tach Zemero...yes Zemero, Menz Keya...three of the five.”
In the fighting in Mehal Meda Town, two civilians were killed said town residents. They said during the fighting a ninth-grade student and one other person were killed.
“Unless it was stray fire there wasn’t targeting of civilians, but it is unavoidable from stray fire, there were people who died from stray fire. How many people died? ...two...three people around this, one ninth grade student died...a deacon died. It has been quiet throughout the night; there is a lull.”
“You can’t really know but people were already shouting but we don’t know who it was coming from, because you are afraid for yourself you do not go out, but we can hear the cries of mourning outside.”
According to another source there was severe conflict yesterday, and today there was sorrow across many areas.
“Civilians were killed so the situation is severe, it is severe beyond measure. Dramatic war brings suffering with it...today there has been sorrow everywhere, it is hard to quantify. It was also today...yes in Mehal Meda it is ongoing in Mehal Meda.”
Recently there had been conflict in Mekane Selam City of South Wollo and outside of heavy artillery yesterday morning normal activity had returned according to a city resident.
“Today there has been quiet throughout the day. Yesterday there had been brief gunfire in the morning, but it slowed down soon after...heavy artillery...was fired from within the city towards rural areas yesterday...there has been nothing since. It has been peace since, there hasn’t been gunfire in the city, there is nothing.”
Efforts to contact local officials for their comments on this matter were not successful.
Esayas Gelaw
Azeb Tadesse
Eshete Bekele
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