Summary of Amhara War Updates for January 2026

Disclaimer: AAA is a U.S. based NGO that documents human rights violations in the context of conflict, violence and political repression. One of AAA's core activities is also to educate policymakers, journalists, researchers and other stakeholders with up-to-date information on developments in Ethiopia. AAA does not endorse any political parties or organizations based in the U.S. or Ethiopia.

March 5, 2026 (Yekatit 26, 2018 EC) 

Overview 

Between January 1^st and 31^st, 2026, AWU recorded battle events and human rights incidents across 106 distinct woreda/city administrations in 19 zonal administrations in 4 regions (Amhara Region, Oromia Region, Benishangul-Gumuz Region and Addis-Ababa City). 

The month of January marked intense fighting with significant military casualties and shifting control in several strategic areas. This month involved military operations both from the Fano and the Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP) regime's joint armed forces. 

Over the reporting period, AWU reported 136 battle events across 84 woreda/city administrations in 14 zonal administrations across 2 regions (Amhara and Oromia Regions) resulting in 2,628 regime casualties and 86 Fano casualties. 

Over the reporting period, AWU reported 55 human rights incidents across 42 woreda/city administrations in 18 zonal administrations across 4 regions (Amhara Region, Oromia Region, Benishangul-Gumuz Region and Addis-Ababa City) resulting in: 

• 93 civilians killed; 

• 73 civilians injured; 

• 88 abductions and 

• 414 arrests. 

While the majority of human rights incidents implicated OPP regime forces, other perpetrators included Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces, Oromia Region Forces, Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militants and Gumuz militants.