Residents in Ethiopia’s Amhara region reported escalating tensions on Wednesday as the country’s military clashed with fighters from the Fano militia, resulting in more than a dozen injuries, according to a local doctor.
The Fano, a part-time militia without a formal command structure, had previously allied with federal troops during a two-year civil war in the neighboring Tigray region, which concluded with a truce last November.
However, the relationship between the Fano and the national government has deteriorated, with some in the region expressing concerns over the government’s perceived disregard for Amhara’s security.
The clashes between Fano fighters and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) occurred near Debre Tabor on both Tuesday and Wednesday, as confirmed by a doctor at a local hospital and a police officer who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons.
As of the latest reports, the hospital had treated three individuals with serious injuries and ten others with minor injuries, caused by gunshots and heavy weapons.
A diplomatic source revealed that the fighting broke out several days ago when the military initiated an operation to remove Fano fighters from Kobo and other areas. In response, Fano militiamen took control of the holy town of Lalibela, which houses a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Both Ethiopia’s federal government and the Amhara regional administration have yet to provide official comments on the situation.
The region remains tense as residents in Kobo reported fighting early Tuesday morning, but the situation appeared to have calmed on Wednesday.
Authorities continue to monitor the developments closely, as the escalating feud between the two former allies raises concerns over stability and security in the Amhara region.
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