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Updated September 29th, 2024
Overview
For the week of September 23rd to 29th, 2024, fighting between Amhara Fano freedom fighters (Fano) and Prosperity Party regime joint forces (regime forces) has continued in various parts of Amhara Region and surrounding areas in Ethiopia.1 This week was marked by the celebration of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) Meskel (True Cross) holiday.
This week battle events and rights violations were recorded in 43 woreda/city administrations across 13 zones in Amhara Region. These zones included East Gojjam (10), Central Gonder (6), North Wollo (4), West Gojjam (4), North Gojjam (3), South Wollo (3), Awi (3), North Shewa (2), South Gonder (2), West Gonder (2), North Gonder (2), Bahir-Dar city (1) and Welkait-Tegede-Setit Humera (1). Violations were also recorded in Addis-Ababa city.
Battle events were recorded in over 7 urban administrations across 6 zonal administrations. These urban administrations included Kobo, Woldia, Debre-Birhan, Gonder, Bahir-Dar, Debre-Markos and Debre-Tabor in the North Wollo, North Shewa, Central Gonder, Bahir-Dar, East Gojjam and South Gonder Zones.
Defections of regime forces to Fano have been recorded which indicate growing discontent among the regime’s military forces. Among the notable developments is former Amhara Special Force (ASF) Abay Regiment commander Fentaw Mekuye joining Fano in north-eastern Amhara Region. Reports also indicate deployment of poorly trained child soldiers by regime forces.
Civilian casualties were recorded in more than 14 woreda/city administrations across 9 zonal administrations in Amhara Region. These zones included Raya-Kobo, Raya-Alamata, Minjar-Shenkora, Enarj-Enawga, Debre-Markos, Dega-Damot, Jabi-Tehnan, North Achefer, Debre-Tabor, Libo-Kemkem, East Dembiya, West Armachiho, Debark, Dabat Woredas in the North Wollo, North Shewa, East Gojjam, West Gojjam, North Gojjam, South Gonder, Central Gonder, West Gonder and North Gonder Zones.
Reports reveal increasing use of drones across at least 5 zonal administrations in Amhara Region including North Shewa, Awi, South Gonder, Central Gonder and West Gonder Zones. Drones have been used in attacks which led to civilian casualties and have been used for aerial surveillance in other areas, indicating risk of further deadly attacks. Noteworthy is the expansion of drone use in north-western parts of Amhara Region.
This week widespread arrests have been reported across urban administrations and surrounding areas targeting regime officials, military officers and civilians under pretense of supporting the Fano movement. Such arrests were reported primarily in Amhara Region and also in Addis-Ababa city. Hundreds of arrest victims were reported in 16 woreda/city administrations across 9 zonal administrations. These include Raya-Kobo, Borena, Debre-Birhan, Enemay, Enbise-Sar-Midir, Enarj-Enawga, Debre-Markos, Dejen, Jabi-Tehnan, Finote-Selam, Dembecha, Injibara, Bahir-Dar, Gonder, Dabat, and Debark Woredas in the North Wollo, South Wollo, North Shewa, East Gojjam, West Gojjam, Awi, Bahir-Dar, Central Gonder and North Gonder Zones. In Borena and Bure-Zuriya Woredas, a significant number of EOTC students were among the arrest victims. In Metemma, regime forces also issued threats and harassed family members of suspected Fano members.
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