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Updated September 25th, 2024
Overview
For the week of September 9th to 22nd, 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.
This week, battles and human rights violations were recorded across 41 woreda/city administrations across 14 zonal administrations and 2 regions including in North Wollo (5), South Wollo (3), North Shewa (7), East Gojjam (6), West Gojjam (3), Awi (3), North Gojjam (2), South Gonder (2), Central Gonder (4), West Gonder (1), North Gonder (2), Welkait-Tegede-Setit Humera (1), Addis-Ababa city (1) and Horo Guduru Wollega Zone (1). One battle took place in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone of Oromia Region which involved an offensive by regime forces against local Amhara communities.
This week, battles took place in over 6 urban administrations across 4 zonal administrations including in Woldia, Kobo, Shewa-Robit, Debre-Birhan, Debre-Markos and Gonder cities in North Wollo, North Shewa, East Gojjam and Central Gonder Zones. Joint operations by the two major Fano command structures in the Gonder sub-region have increased efficiency of offensive operations particularly in Central, North and West Gonder Zones.
Regime forces intensified attacks against civilians especially following military losses to Fano fighters. Civilian casualties or property loss were recorded in over 11 woreda/city administrations across 8 zonal administrations including Raya-Alamata, Minjarena-Shenkora, Enbese-Sar-Midir, Dangila, Debre-Markos, Debre-Tabor, Fogera, Gonder City, Metemma, Debark and Dabat Woredas in North Wollo, North Shewa, East Gojjam, Awi, South Gonder, Central Gonder, West Gonder and North Gonder Zones.
Targeted arrests of civilians were recorded in 4 woreda/city administrations across 4 zonal administrations including Raya-Alamata, Shewa-Robit, Fagita-Lekoma and Gonder city Woredas in North Wollo, North Shewa, Awi and Central Gonder Zones.
On September 16th, Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militants from the Oromia Special Zone (Amhara Region) carried out attacks on Amhara civilians in the area of Efratana-Gidim Woreda (North Shewa Zone). The OLA militants were believed to have been armed by regime officials.
On September 18th, the Raya Wollo Amhara Identity Committee released a statement denouncing human rights violations by federal and Tigray Region Forces in occupied areas of Raya, suppression of Amhara identity and persecution of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were displaced from their homes.
Between September 21st and 22nd, joint Fano forces carried out operations in Tegede Woreda (Welkait-Tegede-Setit Humera Zone, Amhara Region) and took control of several areas, dissolving the regime administration, defeating regime forces and capturing their equipment.
Between September 21st and 22nd, regime forces carried out an attack on Amhara residents of Abe-Dongoro Woreda in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone (Oromia Region). Their attack was met with a response from local armed volunteer fighters but regime forces’ used heavy artillery which overwhelmed the fighter.
Across Amhara Region, outside of larger cities like Dessie, Woldia, and Debre-Birhan, millions of students have not yet begun their education for the 2017 EC academic year. Numerous schools have even been occupied by regime forces and are being used as military camps.
This week, house demolitions in various parts of Addis-Ababa City were followed by mass arrests. Critics also stated these demolitions were ethnic-based.
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