Updated June 30th, 2024
Overview
For the week of June 24th to 30th, 2024, fighting between Amhara Fano freedom fighters (Fano) and Prosperity Party regime joint forces (regime forces) has continued in various parts of Amhara Region in Ethiopia. Some highlights are provided below:
This week, joint regime forces carried out numerous large-scale civilian massacres including in Shola-Meda (Tarmaber Woreda), Zebich (Enemay Woreda), Adet (Yilmana-Densa Woreda), and Kimir Dingaye (Guna-Begemidir Woreda) in North Shewa, East Gojjam, North Gojjam and South Gonder Zones. In addition, target killings of unarmed civilians have continued in various other parts of the region.
Since June 28th, 2024 Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) invaded Telemt Woreda (North Gonder Zone) with cooperation from regime forces, displacing thousands of residents to Adarkay town. This has led to Telemt becoming reannexed to Tigray Region.
The TPLF militants have also continued abuses in Raya Alamata Woreda (North Wollo Zone) prompting more demonstrations from local residents.
On June 27th, Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militants attacked a bus carrying ethnic Amhara travelers in Wachale Woreda of North Shewa Zone (Oromia Region).
Between June 26th to 27th, the regime began deploying troops on a large scale throughout the Gojjam sub-region. Reports indicate hundreds of military convoys were seen moving from Addis Ababa toward Gojjam. In response, Fano leaders in Gojjam announced a transportation restriction order effective June 27th. Sources indicate the restriction has already been implemented in some areas.
Between June 24th-25th, regime officials and military leaders held a meeting in Bahir-Dar city during which they announced the regime’s readiness to negotiate with Fano forces and established a dialogue facilitation committee with assurances that the concerns of the Amhara people would be resolved at the negotiation table.
On June 29th, a large contingent of heavily armed soldiers arrived at the Gonder Atse Tewodros Airport in Azezo sub-city in Gonder city (Central Gonder Zone), disembarking from both civilian (Ethiopian Airlines) and military aircraft. The use of civilian aircrafts for military purposes may constitute a violation of international aviation law. This recent mass deployment contradicts the regime’s stated intention to resolve the conflict peacefully.
