Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from BBC Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
BBC Amharic - Attacks using drones have killed a large number of people in North Gojjam Zone according to eyewitnesses
October 18, 2024
Attacks by “government forces” since the beginning of the month of Tikimit (early October) have killed more than 100 people in South Mecha Woreda of North Gojjam Zone in Amhara Region, eyewitnesses and residents told BBC.
Between October 11th and 14th, 2024 (Tikimit 1 and 4, 2017 EC) drone attacks and arbitrary attacks in the woreda’s main town of Gerchech have killed children, elderly people and youth, say family members of killed victims and residents.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) told BBC they received reports of the killings and were currently gathering information.
The Ethiopian National Defense Force announced it had killed “53 extremist members” as Fano forces carried out an attack to control the area.
On Friday, October 11th, 2024 (Tikimit 1, 2017 EC) at around 1 pm “repeated” drone attacks targeted the Mehal Genet health station which resulted in the killing of eight people including a nine year old child, say residents.
In addition to the health station, the repeated attacks caused damages to nearby residential houses.
“She makes a kind of buzzing noise. She approaches like a bird and what she drops makes a large explosion” said one eyewitness describing the drone, and said seven bodies were discovered after the attack.
An eyewitness and health center professional who asked that their name be withheld for their safety said the attack damaged the Mehal Genet health center’s pharmacy and money storage facility, killing eight people.
The professional told BBC one health professional (pharmacist) was among the killed victims, and said people who came from medical care and those in the area were injured.
Residents said the killed victims ranged from a 9 year old child to a 79 year old senior, and said over seven people were injured including health professionals.
Residents said when the drone attack was carried out there were days of tension in the area, but said Fano militants were not present in the town.
At around 5:30 pm in the afternoon Fano forces entered the town, and afterwards fighting between government forces and Fano militants lasted over “five hours”.
After the fighting ended, starting on the night of Friday, October 11th, 2024 (Tikimit 1, 2017 EC) government forces carried out attacks door to door and on the streets which resulted in a significant number of people “executed” according to three residents who asked that their names not be cited.
One resident said, “when we heard sounds of gunfire and the screams of people we became afraid and stayed in our homes” adding that killings took place after Fano forces left and the fighting ended.
“When they were unable to find them, they directed their reprisal against the people.” Another resident said hundreds of people were killed.
“Those found on the street, and from house to house were all hit…they would take them out and hit them. They (government forces) would say give us your guns” said one resident, indicating the attack was carried out while they said, “you are Fano militants.”
The first victims of the arbitrary killings were about 15 people who returned to their homes thinking the situation was safe, said residents, saying they were executed in a sorghum field. “After this they went to various areas. They entered various homes telling them, ‘you had been fighting, now give us your weapons’. Then they continued the executions” said a resident who gave their views to BBC.
Among those reportedly killed by government forces over 30 were close relatives to one resident, who said his mother and a 17 year old youth were taken out of the house and killed.
The victim’s spouse was four months pregnant, says the resident, who also said the victim made a living doing business.
“Most were hit on their chest or on their head” said an eyewitness who retrieved bodies and called the act an “execution”.
One religious father said, “I personally picked up a pregnant woman who I blessed and buried, she was killed along with her unborn child. She was shot…they told me she was seven months pregnant” he told the BBC, explaining that a large number of people were killed.
“They did not discriminate between people” said residents describing the mass killing who said since October 11th, 2024 (Tikimit 1, 2017 EC) the number of persons killed or disappeared is more than 200.
BBC was not able to confirm the killings or the situation in the area from an independent party in the area.
“When we left in the morning we found a large number of bodies, they were too many to count. When we sent the priests to conduct the burials they refused…I myself was saved by St. Giyorgis” said another resident who also mentioned that the number of victims was high.
“In our area more than 50 people were buried in the Maryam Church” said a resident who said the number of killed victims was high, and that days later the bodies were gathered on a carriage for burial.
Another resident who said he retrieved bodies said, “seven or eight were taken by carriage” and regarding the burial the majority were buried in mass burials.
BBC spoke to a religious father serving a church in Gerchech who said by the end of the week over 72 killed people were buried in various churches.
The religious father said a burial service was carried out for 27 people in a church where he services, he also said bodies were taken to other kebeles, and added that the number of deceased victims could increase.
“Since the mourners were unable to travel to the leqso (mourning ceremony) there was no tent. At this time people have been arriving for the leqso three days or four days after” they said describing the fear.
As a result of tensions in the town and fears, residents have traveled to rural kebeles to save their lives.
One professional said the professionals in Mehal Genet health center left the area, and that the health center which served more than 25,000 people a year was closed down.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) told BBC it is investigating civilian casualties and damages to public facilities resulting from the conflict in Gerchech.
Starting on September 29th, 2024 (Meskerem 19, 2017 EC) when the national defense force began moving in the area, residents said Fano forces traveled to rural kebeles.
Residents said Fano forces had control of Gerchech town for over one year before the national defense force took control of the area.
BBC’s efforts over several days to acquire more information regarding the killing of a significant number of people in the woreda and in North Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region, were unsuccessful.
On October 12th, 2024 (Tikimit 2, 2017 EC) the national defense force on their social media page stated that Fano forces attempted to take control of the area and that more than 50 “extremist members” were neutralized.
In mid-Meskerem (late September), a new “law enforcement” campaign was announced according to national defense force spokesperson Colonel Getinet Adane who said, “[Fano] chose the gun, they chose force. Therefore from this point forward we must respond in a language they understand.”
*BBC spoke to five local residents for this report, all requested their names not be mentioned out of concern for their safety.
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