Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – The number of people killed in drone strikes in Amhara Region is increasing significantly
November 29, 2024
In Amhara Region, since armed conflict broke out between government and Fano militants, the number of people killed in drone attacks has significantly increased. The Ethiopian Government and national army have previously claimed they do not target civilians however reports have indicated that mothers, children and health professionals have been killed.
Since the start of the conflict in Amhara Region, a small rural town called Zibsit has seen “an air strike in which a significant number of people were killed at once.” Among the areas in Amhara Region where the Ethiopian Government and Fano militants have engaged in intense fighting is “Nius Ketema” in West Gojjam Zone where an attack was carried out on November 5, 2024 (Tikimit 26, 2017 E.C.).
Initial reports on various media platforms indicated the attacks on a market, school and health center resulted in 43 casualties however local residents informed Deutsche Welle that the number of people killed had reached “over 51”. One resident of South Achefer who makes a living through agricultural work said they were near Zibsit when the attack was carried out on Tuesday.
The eyewitness who said, “as it traveled the sound was barely audible” said they wished to remain anonymous out of concern for their safety. They explained the sound they heard at the time saying, “it would go saying tihtihtih…tihtihtih…tihtihtih.” They said, “we did not know what it was, but people said it was what is known as a drone.”
Deutsche Welle spoke to eyewitnesses who said the attack supposedly targeted Fano trainees. The trainees “had no weapons at the time. I think it was following and attacking” said two eyewitnesses. After the attack was carried out on the trainees “it repeatedly struck the area targeting even children and killed over 40 people” they said. Another eyewitness said the attack “went back and forth, circling, and returning.”
The Ethiopia Peace Observatory had reported “since the onset of the armed conflict in Amhara Region a significant number of people were killed in one area” regarding the attack on Zibsit and the reporting indicated that pregnant women, children and health professionals were among the victims who lost their lives.
Prior to Zibsit, drone attacks which took place in Quarit Woreda of West Gojjam Zone, in a place called Densa in Mehal Sayint Woreda of South Wollo Zone, and in the Majete and Sela Dingaye areas of North Shewa Zone had killed a numerically high number of people.
The attack on the town in South Achefer Woreda however was different in nature according to ACLED Ethiopia Peace Observatory senior research Braden Fuller. “The majority of attacks have been carried out in areas affected by or near to fighting” says Braden Fuller who told Deutsche Welle in Zibsit “the attack was carried out in an area where there was no active fighting which made it different in some level.”
Deutsche Welle spoke to eyewitnesses who said though there had been Fano activity in the area, there was no active fighting in the area when the attack took place.
Since the armed conflict in the region began between the government and Fano forces since Miyazia 2015 E.C. (April 9 to May 8, 2023) up to Hedar 2017 E.C. (November 10 to December 9, 2024) the Ethiopia Peace Observatory has recorded 54 drone and air strikes. Despite this they said, “since it is difficult to record drone attacks in more distant parts of the country this could be an underestimate.” A large number of drone and air strikes have been carried out in North Shewa and West Gojjam Zones.
The first drone attack was carried out in Bure town of West Gojjam Zone on August 12, 2023 (Nehase 6, 2015 E.C.). The following day, on August 13, 2023 (Nehase 7, 2015 E.C.) an air strike was carried out in Finote-Selam city of West Gojjam Zone which killed a significant number of people.
Overall, over 449 people have been killed in the drone and air strikes according to reports, says the Ethiopia Peace Observatory.
The Amhara Association in North America’s Director of Advocacy Hone Mandefro said in the war taking place in Amhara Region, the government has “relied heavily on drone attacks” which has “resulted in significant human rights violations to civilians.”
The attacks have targeted people in public gatherings, schools, health and religious institutions says Ato Hone, “civilians with no involvement in the war are being massacred. And this is not being done by accident” he told Deutsche Welle.
The government “has repeatedly sent armed military combatants which have faced defeats, and so it has resorted to terrorizing the population in order to stiffen support for Fano” accuses Ato Hone.
Their association recorded 125 drone and air strikes in various parts of Amhara Region for the period between October 16, 2023 (Tikimit 5, 2016 E.C.) and November 23, 2024 (Hedar 14, 2017 E.C.) which has left 754 people killed and 223 injured.
“We have only reported drone attacks which have targeted civilians” said Ato Hone explaining “we have not reported drone attacks on combatants.”
What do the national defense force and the Ethiopian Government say?
Drone attacks previously carried out by the national defense force in areas where Fano militants are said to operate have led to severe sorrow for residents. Ato Hone Mandefro says, “people are unable to go to market. They are unable to go to health centers. They are unable to go to religious institutions. They cannot even meet with people in the middle of the city” he said explaining the severe impact of the attacks.
Deutsche Welle’s efforts to contact the national defense force public relations director Colonel Getinet Adane and the Amhara Region peace and security bureau head Ato Dessalegn Tassew were unsuccessful.
The national defense force has not denied use of unmanned aircrafts in their fighting against Fano militants in Amhara Region however they have rejected claims that attacks have killed civilians.
The national defense force’s Eastern Command officials deployed in North Gojjam Zone, in a report on national television said Fano militants were killed in a drone attack near a town called Amarit in North Mecha Woreda on October 12, 2024 (Tikimit 2, 2017 E.C.).
The Amhara Association in North America reported six farmers killed and four injured in the attack. The Eastern Command 302nd Corps operations head Lieutenant General Birhanu Ashagrie however said the drone attack only targeted Fano militants which he refered to as “extremist forces.”
The military official said reports that “military actions were taken against civilians and that extremist forces were untouched” is “a lie far from the truth.”
Government Communication Services Minister Dr. Legesse Tulu said government military actions on Fano militants who he calls “extremist forces” were “selective and planned” in a statement issued on November 17, 2023 (Hedar 7, 2016 E.C.). Dr. Legesse had said on social media, “they frame it as attacks on civilians” however “this is unacceptable.”
Deutsche Welle called Dr. Legesse Tulu for additional remarks, however there was no response.
The government established Ethiopian Human Rights Commission in its annual human rights report that between Hamle 2015 E.C. (July 8 to August 6, 2023) and Sene 2016 E.C. (June 8 to July 7, 2024) heavy artillery, drones, and air bombardments in the region have killed “a significant number of civilians including women, elderly persons, persons with physical disabilities and children in a horrific manner.”
Following the outbreak of fighting between government forces and Fano militants, the United Nations Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango had said the office, “is troubled by the devastating impact of drone strikes and other violence on the population in the Amhara region.”
In Ethiopia the use of military drones expanded during the 2-year war between the Federal Government and Tigray Forces. The wars have used heavy artillery weapons including tanks during fighting between Tigray Armed Forces and the government which Braden Fuller said had a “significant” impact.
They said drone attacks on militants operating in Amhara and Oromia Regions have not had a significant impact. “They may have targeted top militant leaders” says Braden Fuller, adding he does not believe “drone attacks have had a significant impact on Fano militants.” He explains, “drone attacks have repeatedly struck civilian targets. This can hurt the government’s acceptance; the public could change their views based on the conflict and the government’s use of drones.”
Braden Fuller explained “in recent weeks attacks on schools and health centers could change peoples’ views and forcibly draw international attention.” However Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government has not changed its stance “prior to this due to public and international pressure” recalled Braden Fuller who believes “they will continue using drones. However, they will not be successful.”
Since the beginning of the conflict in Amhara Region up until Tahasass 2016 E.C. (December 11, 2023 to January 9, 2024) the majority of attacks on civilians, aerial bombardments and bombings or political violence events have been recorded in West Gojjam, North Wollo, North Shewa and East Gojjam Zones according to ACLED’s East Africa Senior Analysis Director Dr. Jalale Getachew who spoke to Deutsche Welle.
According to reporting from the Ethiopia Peace Observatory between Tahasass 2016 E.C. (December 11, 2023 to January 9, 2024) and Tikimit 2017 E.C. (October 11 to November 9, 2024) a significant number of political violence events were recorded in West Gojjam, East Gojjam, North Shewa and North Wollo Zones.
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