War in Amhara

War in Amhara
Part of the Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)

Map of Ethiopia showing areas of Fano militia presence (in yellow) and areas under the control of the Ethiopian government (in red)
Date9 April 2023 – present
(1 year, 7 months, 1 week and 6 days)
Location
Amhara Region and the Western Zone (Spillovers into Oromo Region)
Status

Ongoing

Belligerents

Fano factions

 Ethiopia

Oromo Liberation Army
Commanders and leaders
Eskinder Nega
Meketaw Mamo
Mesafint Tesfu
Fantahun Muhabaw
Zemene Kassie[6][7]
Mihretu Wodajo[6]		 Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed
Ethiopia Birhanu Jula
Ethiopia Abebaw Tadesse
Ethiopia Abraham Belay
Amhara Region Yilkal Kefale (2023)
Amhara Region Arega Kebede		 Jaal Marroo

The War in Amhara is an armed conflict and insurgency in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia that began in April 2023 between the Fano militia and the Ethiopian government. The conflict started after the government attempted to dissolve the Amhara Special Forces and other regional forces to "promote national unity." This move led to protests and armed resistance by local forces under Fano.[8]

Tensions between Fano and the government had been growing for a year before the conflict. Although Fano fighters had allied with the government during the Tigray War, relations soured after the 2022 peace agreement, which Fano viewed as a betrayal. The government, in turn, saw Fano as a growing threat due to its unregulated nature.[9] In early 2023, the government enacted the first stage of its plan to recentralize the Ethiopian security services and moved to dissolve the Amhara regional special forces.[10] Some regional special forces joined Fano militants who began fighting against the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF).[9] Since then, the war has been largely fought in the regions rural highlands, though Fano has managed to penetrate urban areas.[11]

By mid-2023 much of the Amhara region had become a war zone[10] as Fano launched offensives in key cities, briefly taking control of some before being pushed back by the ENDF. A six-month state of emergency was declared in August 2023 following a request from the Amhara regional government.[12] Fighting escalated in 2024, with renewed insurgent offensives in the Gondar and Gojjam zones and increased military operations by the ENDF. The conflict has resulted in the heavy use of airstrikes, clashes over key towns, and reports of rising civilian casualties.[13][14][15] During July 2024 Fano launched a broad offensive across the region[16] and in October 2024, the Ethiopian military launched a large scale counterinsurgency operation. Much of the Amhara countryside has come under Fano control, with reports of extortion, theft, and kidnapping becoming common.[17] West Gojjam zone in particular has seen severe levels of armed conflict since October.[18]

The ENDF has been accused extreme human rights abuses and the indiscriminate employment of drone strikes. Human Rights organizations have accused the military of extrajudicial killings and attacks on medical facilities.[11] Amnesty International reports the government has been arbitrarily detaining thousands of civilians in internment camps.[19] Communication have been restricted and access denied to journalists attempting to report from the region.[20] The war has reportedly caused over 15,000 casualties, including combatants and civilians.[21]

Despite some local support, Fano's lack of centralized leadership has raised questions about the insurgency's sustainability. While the government has been unable to decisively defeat Fano, the militia has struggled to leverage its gains politically due to its decentralized nature.[9] International observers warn that the conflict risks destabilizing the entire country[22] as neither side appears capable of a military victory.[23]

  1. ^ "At Least 26 Killed in Drone Strike in Ethiopia's Amhara Region". VOA. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Ethiopia: End the month-long arbitrary detention of thousands in Amhara Region". Amnesty International. 6 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Ethiopia: Heavy Fighting in Gondar Between Amhara Militias and Government Forces". Stratfor. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024. These operations are reportedly part of a broader Fano offensive that began in July, which has enabled Fano to establish control over certain rural areas in Amhara
  4. ^ "ENDF, Amhara admin vow to 'intensify operations' against armed groups and figures embedded within gov't". Addis Standard. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  5. ^ Misganaw, Aster; Abate, Kennedy (3 October 2024). "Ethiopian military boosts operations in Amhara region". Voice of America. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b ICG 2023, p. 10.
  7. ^ "Multiple injuries as Ethiopian military, militia clash in Amhara: Sources". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  8. ^ Yibeltal, Kalkidan (10 April 2023). "Ethiopia's Amhara region hit by protests over move to dissolve regional forces". BBC News. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b Gardner 2024, p. 341.
  11. ^ a b Vera, Simon (12 November 2024). "Who is Fano? Inside Ethiopia's Amhara rebellion". The New Humanitarian.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :02 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ "Another African war looms". The Economist. 27 October 2024. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Drone strike, intense clashes in West Gojjam's Durbete town claim civilian lives; residents report militants among dead". Addis Standard. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Ethiopia: End the month-long arbitrary detention of thousands in Amhara Region". Amnesty International. 6 November 2024.
  20. ^ Erasmus, Des (14 October 2024). "Coordinates identified for Ethiopian drone massacre in Amhara, opening way for war crimes probe". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  21. ^ Sahlu, Sisay (21 October 2024). "Amhara Universities Forum Raises Alarm Over Rising Sexual Violence, Disease Outbreaks Amid Conflict". The Reporter (Ethiopia). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  22. ^ "Amhara Insurgency Threatens to Consume Ethiopia". Africa Defense Forum. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  23. ^ ADF (12 November 2024). "Conflict in Amhara Region Threatens to Ignite Another Ethiopian War". Africa Defense Forum. Retrieved 14 November 2024.