Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from BBC Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
BBC Amharic – More than 20 people killed in Awi Zone of Amhara Region say residents
November 6, 2024
Government forces killed a significant number of people going door to door and on roads in Addis Kidam town of Awi Zone in Amhara Region according to residents and family members of victims who spoke to BBC.
One week ago on Sunday, October 27, 2024 (Tikimit 17, 2017 E.C.) fighting took place between Fano and government forces in the town, which is located 104 km from the regional capital of Bahir Dar, after which over 23 people were killed in an attack including children.
The local administration’s head of peace and security confirmed that fighting took place between government forces and Fano fighters but denied allegations that civilians were killed.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on its end said it had received information that an attack had taken place and was undertaking investigations, however they informed BBC they could not verify that the attack had taken place or the extent of the casualties.
Regarding the incident BBC spent days gathering information, however residents were unwilling to share details due to security concerns and mourning.
Residents said on the morning of October 27 (Tikimit 17) at around 8 am a gunfire exchange began between the two forces in Addis Kidam town which is part of Fagita Lekoma Woreda.
After the gunfire exchange began in the town “...we returned to our neighborhoods as it intensified” said one resident who said the gunfire exchange was “intense”.
By around 11 am in the morning residents said Fano forces had taken control of “the majority of areas” in the town, and said the gunfire exchange continued on and off until 4 pm.
“[The gunfire exchange] began in an area called ‘Kuakura Mewcha’. Then Fano forces pushed into the town center. Then when government reinforcements came the Fano withdrew. It was then that a significant number of civilians were killed” said one resident.
“When the soldiers left civilians were being killed on the asphalt in the town center” said another resident providing their testimony, who said the killing “appeared to be revenge”.
“For any youth they encountered they said, get him, drop him, put him to sleep [as they killed them]. They were children, they were youth aged 18 years old and 20 years old. When some thought the gunfire had subsided and came out they were struck on the asphalt and even in their homes.”
Another resident said government forces carried out the killing as they withdrew to an area called “Adiguami Terara”, they told BBC they witnessed six bodies of victims.
The majority of the killings took place in the “Tagita and Delekes Megentiya” areas according to one resident who said youth and seniors were killed in the attack.
Another resident said there were “three kinds” of killings, in addition to those killed house to house and on the road, there were farmers killed in the middle of their crops.
“They forced out people who were gathered inside a cafe (tea house) and executed them. They executed people they encountered on the road. They followed people inside their homes opening the doors and killing whoever they found” they said regarding the killing.
Another resident said the October 27 (Tikimit 17) gunfire exchange was different than usual and would “intensify and subside”, and said as a result transportation services had not been suspended.
“...vehicles (public transportation) had not stopped. Many people who were unaware departed from vehicles and were killed thinking everything was peaceful” they said.
Their family member who came from Dangila town to Addis Kidam had left the vehicle and traveling when they were killed on the road said one resident.
A family member said they were told the victim’s identification was seen before he was killed, the deceased victim was a 23 year old young person and was the first child of their parents said the resident.
Another 11th grade student and local youth was killed by government forces under similar circumstances as he “was coming to his family members to get food.”
“He was a bajaj worker (driver), one would sell araqi (liquor), a student, another was a merchant who opened a shop” said one resident describing some of the killed victims.
“The majority [of the killed victims] knew nothing, had no political understanding, worked to earn a living, and did day work” said another resident who called the killing “tragic”.
“Only a parent could understand this. And beyond that a first child. It is unthinkable, it is hard to dream...” said a family member of a killed victim, describing their sorrow to BBC while choking on tears.
“...they were children and youth” said a resident describing the age of the victims, and said an 11 year old child was among the killed victims.
Two residents said 23 people were killed, and one local resident told BBC they heard 18 people were killed.
Another resident said it was difficult for them to place the exact number of people killed, “I personally know 10 people who were killed” they said.
“It is saddening to see...it is difficult, it is sad” they said describing the attack, and another resident said they had seen bodies of four victims, saying they believed “it was not just against people they happened to encounter, it was a deliberate and planned action that was carried out.”
“We do not know if government forces were hit or what had happened. We have only verified that there was an act of reprisal against the public” said another resident who spoke about the attack.
One resident said bodies of people left on the roads were retrieved by the people “after the gunfire stopped”, and told BBC their burials were conducted on various days in Addis Kidam and surrounding kebeles.
The local administration confirmed there had been fighting between the two belligerents but said no civilians were killed.
The Awi Zone Peace and Security Head Ato Getachew Bishaw said, “civilians were not killed” and said government forces “do not carry out attacks” on unarmed people.
The head rejected the allegations against them calling it “the enemy’s propaganda” and said “the national defense force has no reason to take any measures against civilians” and called the attack false.
The head said during the conflict over three people from the Fano side were killed and their firearms were captured.
Residents said this is not the first time government forces have carried out such an attack in Addis Kidam town, they said last year on the day after the Easter holiday between 11 and 15 people were killed “while celebrating the holiday.”
“When they exchange fire with Fano forces, they (government forces) come to the people and hit them. This is what we do not understand. The people are living their own lives. There is a force who is engaging them, but they target the people to settle their score with them” said one resident with bitterness.
At this time the “atmosphere is difficult” in the area says a resident who says the gunfire exchange has continued even after the attack.
“The feeling of sorrow has not left the community. They have lost hope. There is no security. Even now there is apprehension and repression. Residents are waiting for daylight” they said describing their current circumstances.
