War updates from Amhara Region, Ethiopia – April 28th to May 4th, 2025

AAA-admin
May 5
2 min read

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Updated May 5th, 2025

Overview

For the week of April 28th to May 4th, 2025, fighting between Amhara Fano self-defense force (Fano) and Prosperity Party regime joint forces (regime forces) has continued in various parts of Amhara Region in Ethiopia.

This week battle events and rights violations were recorded in more than 52 woreda/city administrations across 12 zonal administrations in Amhara Region. These zones included the North Wollo, South Wollo, North Shewa, East Gojjam, West Gojjam, Awi, Bahir-Dar, North Gojjam, South Gonder, Central Gonder, West Gonder, North Gonder and Welkait-Tegede-Setit Humera Zones. Developments were also recorded in South West Shewa and Horo-Guduru-Wollega Zones of Oromia Region, Gurage Zone of Central Ethiopia Region and in Addis-Ababa city.
Civilian casualties were recorded in 15 woreda/city administrations across 5 zonal administrations in Amhara Region. These included Kobo, Raya-Kobo, Raya-Bala, Gidan, Lasta, Habru, Alamata, Mehal-Sayint, Ambassel, Kelela, Enemay, Baso-Liben, Jawi, Guna-Begemidir and Ibnat Woredas in North Wollo, South Wollo, East Gojjam, Awi, and South Gonder Zones. Acts of sexual violence were perpetrated against internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Habru. In Raya-Alamata and Raya-Bala Woredas, violence against civilians have been perpetrated by Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) militants. Civilian casualties were also recorded in Abe-Dongoro and Amaya Woredas of Horo-Guduru-Wollega and South West Shewa Zones, respectively, in Oromia Region. The violence in Amaya Woreda in particular reportedly involved collaboration between ENDF and Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militants. Lastly, civilian casualties were recorded in Gurage Zone of Central Ethiopia Region.
Widespread forced abductions tied to forced military conscription (including of minors) were recorded in 8 woreda/city administrations across 6 zonal administrations in Amhara Region. These included Woldia, Habru, Mehal-Sayint, Hayk, Shewa-Robit, Fagita-Lekoma, Lay-Gayint and East Dembiya Woredas in North Wollo, South Wollo, North Shewa, Awi, South Gonder and Central Gonder Zones. Widespread arrests were recorded in 5 woreda/city administrations across 2 zonal administrations in Amhara Region. These included Kobo, Alamata, Raya-Alamata, Gubalafto and Mida-Woremo Woredas in North Wollo and North Shewa Zones. Arrests in Alamata city and Raya-Alamata Woreda were carried out by TPLF militants with support from the Federal Command Post. Widespread arrests have also been carried out in Addis-Ababa city.
In Alamata city, ethnic Amhara residents and staff have reported discriminatory practices among local NGOs favoring ethnic Tigrayans in distribution of humanitarian aid and employment practices.
Between April 30th and May 2nd, security personnel reportedly carried out a series of attacks and abuses against political prisoners in Kilinto prison in Addis-Ababa city.