In Merhawi, security forces arrested and unlawfully killed an unconfirmed number of people, claiming they were supporters of Fano. Witnesses told the EHRC that government forces killed 18 people who had taken shelter in one location when fighting suddenly broke out around them. Additionally, the forces killed eight people, alleging they did not cooperate in the search for a missing security force member. They also burned 12 rickshaws, known as bajajs, that day.

On January 19, 2024, government forces killed 15 civilians and injured two in Shebel Berenta Woreda of the East Gojam Zone. The security forces killed civilians they encountered during house searches and on the street after Fano fighters had already left the town.

On January 6, 2024, security forces conducting security canvassing killed 6 civilians, taking them out of their houses.

The EHRC has called for an immediate end to the unlawful killings and urged for sustainable solutions through peaceful discussions. The EHRC director also called for those who committed the atrocities to be held accountable.

Source:

• Addis Maleda
• Alain

The post Government Forces Killed Over 65 Civilians in Merhawi, Shebel Berenta, and Kuwarit appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

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.

Source:

• Addis Maleda

The post Several Civilians Killed in Drone Strikes in Amhara Region appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

According to the report, the UN is concerned about the situation in the Amhara region and the implementation of the state of emergency declared following the start of fighting between Fano militias and government forces.

The report indicated that the state of emergency granted authorities the power to detain individuals, impose a curfew, and ban public gatherings without any court warrant. Consequently, over 100 people have been arrested, many of whom are ethnic Amhara perceived as supporters of Fano.

In Addition, at least three journalists who reported on the conflict in Amhara have been detained. The UN urged the government to stop mass arrests, lift restrictions on individual freedoms, and release detainees. The government was requested to ensure that international rules and regulations are respected.

The UN report also highlighted the mass arrests of over 250 ethnic Tigrayans in the contentious areas of western Tigray. It also highlighted widespread human rights violations and concerning crime in the Oromia region. The UN called for an independent investigation into human rights violations across the country and for those responsible to be held accountable.

Source:

Addis Maleda

The post Over 183 People Killed in the Amhara Region  appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

According to the report, one deacon was killed in the attack. The Church Administrator, three priests, four deacons, and three church security members were abducted. The Church Administrator and two priests were released after paying ransom three days later on Wednesday, November 5, 2022. The clergy did not sustain any bodily harm. According to Addis Maleda, efforts were underway to get the remaining abductees released in the same manner.

The report also includes that five clergymen of Birbirsa Mariam, 20 km away, were kidnapped by Shene a week earlier and were released after a few days. Birti town was occupied by the Shene gunmen until the national Defence Force took over a week later. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the gunmen looted and damaged properties in the town. Many civilians were kidnapped, and some do not know the whereabouts of their family members. 

The post Deacon Killed and Eleven Churchmen Kidnapped in North Shoa Zone appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

According to Addis Maleda, the Taskforce established a committee to conduct investigations and prosecutions following the joint report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on human rights violations during the Tigray war.

Addis Maleda stated that the report examined human rights violations committed by Shene and the TPLF between September 15, 2021, and January 31, 2022, in Woldia, Lalibela, Sekota, Jama wore-ilu, Dessie, Kombolcha, North Shewa zone, Oromo Nations Zone in Amhara, and the Afar region.

The task force released its first-round report on September 20, 2022. According to the report, the TPLF and Shene committed international human rights violations. 3,598 civilians were unlawfully killed, 1,315 were injured, 2,312 were subjected to sexual violence, and 452 faced severe human rights violations. TPLF killed 1,181 of them in Woldia and its surrounding areas. Shene, along with the TPLF, killed 257 civilians in North Shoa and 162 civilians in the Oromo Nation in Amhara zones. Additionally, the TPLF killed 263 people in Afar.

Addis Maleda’s September 2024 report accounted for the number of civilians killed by the TPLF in the two regions, totaling 2,831. This report quoted the Ministry of Justice’s press release regarding the government’s investigation of human rights violations. In addition to severe human rights violations, the report highlighted that 36 people disappeared, 865,627 quintals of grain were demanded, 411,000 cattle were killed, 2,500 health facilities were destroyed, and 26,334 houses were burnt.

Source:

• Addis Maleda Septeber 20, 2022
• Addis Maleda September 24, 2022

The post TPLF killed over 2,800 Civilians in the Amhara and Afar Regions appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

According to the report, 12 deaths were from Efrata Gidim woreda, while the remaining 10 casualties occured in Jille Timuga. The administrators of the two zones hold differing views on the cause of the conflict. The  North Shoa zone adminstration claims that Shene, labeled as a terrorist by the federal governemnt, is responsible for the violence while  the Oromo Adminsitrative zone accuses Fano of being the culprit.   

DW interviewed residents from both Efrata Gidim and Jille Timuga. Residents of Efrata Gidim stated that the conflict was triggered by disputes over grazing land, a common issue in the area that used to be resolved by community elders. Recently, such clashes have been exacerbated by the involvement of Shene. 

On the other hand, residents of Jille Timuga claimed, the armed men conducted the attack in retaliation for the the recent Wollega Massacre.  The Oromo Administrative zone stated the situation has calm down, and new security measures have been implemented.  

The administrator of the Efrata Gidem woreda also mentioned that while grazing land disputes are said to be the reason behind the conflict, armed men from outside attacked kebeles including Arso Amba, Magna, Metenke and Sherefa. However, he did not specify the identity of these armed men. 

Following the clash, the Ethiopian Human Right Council (EHRCO), as reported by Addis Maelda, stressed that the Ethiopian government is failing to provide adequate protection for the civilians in North Shoa. According to EHRCO armed militias coming through Jille Timuga killed local militeas and farmers in Efrata Gidim kebeles. They also set fire to houses houses resulting in the displacements of communities. Click here to listn to DW’s full story.

Source:

• DW
• Addis Maleda  07/12/2022

The post Clasehs in Efrata Gidim and Jille Timuga Resulted in More Than 20 Deaths appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

Gondar

The ministry’s findings confirm that more than 20 individuals lost their lives and over 100 sustained injuries during a religious conflict in Gondar on Friday, April 22, 2022. One mosque was completely destroyed, while eight others suffered varying degrees of damage. The conflict stemmed from a dispute over the use of rocks for a burial ground.

According to the report, the ministry’s investigators interviewed over 250 witnesses and collected various evidence. As a result, 509 suspects were arrested and the prosecution has commenced indictments. The investigation did not reveal any evidence of premeditated activities.

Worabe

In Worabe, two people were killed and 70 others were wounded. The report highlights that following the news of the conflicts in Gondar, certain individuals openly called for the burning of churches using a megaphone in Worabe. As a result, four Ethiopian Orthodox churches and three Protestant churches were set on fire. Additionally, twelve business and private properties were vandalized. The report states that 97 suspects have been indicted.

Jinka

The investigation also confirmed identity-based attacks against ethnic Amharas in Jinka. The conflict was instigated by Arigna Sheke, a youth group that claims Jinka and four other woredas to form the Ari Zone. Approximately 1,150 people were displaced, and properties estimated to be worth 247 million were damaged. On Friday, April 29, 2022, the group set fire to the houses of 144 Amharas, resulting in complete destruction. Furthermore, 46 residences were damaged, along with one mosque, while 232 businesses were looted. Law enforcement authorities arrested 782 suspects, and 142 of them have been indicted.

Source:

Addis Maleda

The post More than 20 Killed in Religious Conflicts in Gondar and Worabe  appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

On the other hand, the Fentale Woreda administration claims that a radical Amhara group ambushed the Oromo militias while they were on duty in a place called Qorke.

The report highlights that different administrative bodies from the two regions have provided conflicting accounts of the incidents, blaming “anti-peace” or “radical” groups operating in the other region. The federal government did not comment on the incident. You can read the full report here.

March 31 2022

Addis Standard

The post 26 Oromo Militias Were Killed in a Clash with Armed men appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

According to the report, the region is currently hosting approximately 270,000 displaced individuals who have fled from Wag Hemra, Alamata, and Korem. Additionally, there are individuals seeking refuge in the region due to violence occurring in various parts of the country.

The post Over 11 Millions are in Need of Aid in Amhara Region appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.