The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported that numerous civilians have been killed and wounded due to the fighting in the Amhara region since July 2023, as documented by Addis Maleda. According to the report, all zones of the Amhara region have experienced armed conflict at one point or another. The areas have been interchangeably controlled by either Fano fighters or government forces.
Heavy weapons and, at times, airstrikes have been used in the conflict. EHRC pointed out several incidents as examples:
- On October 16, 2023, a government drone strike killed several civilians, including a 1-year and 7-month-old baby, in Berehet Woreda of North Shoa Zone. Many people were also injured.
- On October 19, 2023, a drone strike in Debre Markos town killed eight civilians.
- Eyewitnesses told EHRC that civilians were killed and injured in Dembecha town on October 14, 2023, due to the use of heavy weapons.
The report indicated that thousands of residents have been displaced, fleeing the conflicts. Over 3,000 residents of Minjar Woreda, Awra Godana locality, took refuge at a school in Amora Bete Kebele. An unconfirmed number of people have also been displaced from Metehara, Awash, and other areas.
EHRC gathered evidence showing that government forces have been unlawfully arresting and killing civilians, accusing them of supporting or providing information to Fano. The security forces also demanded that civilians give them arms and information on Fano. The report highlights incidents where government forces killed civilians during house-tohouse searches:
- On October 10 and 11, 2023, many civilians, including three brothers, were killed in Bahir Dar.
- On October 10, 2023, security forces killed 12 student residents of Filseta Debre Mariam Church in North Gojam.
- On October 14, 2023, security forces killed at least eight civilians in Amanual town of East Gojam.
- On September 29, 2023, security forces stopped a family taking a wounded youth to a hospital. They killed the injured individual along with the four family members, claiming the youth was injured fighting them.
EHRC also reported the targeting and killing of government officials by armed forces. On October 9, 2023, regional officials, including a member of the Amhara regional council, were ambushed while traveling from Bahir Dar to Debre Tabor.
Additionally, EHRC disclosed an alarming number of sexual violence cases against women, including those in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and female health workers. At least 200 rapes were recorded from July 2023 to October 2023.
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