Thirty-seven district-level government officials have reportedly been killed in the town of Dega Damot-Feresbet, located in Ethiopia’s Gojjam area in Amhara Region, following violent confrontations between government forces and the Fano militia.
According to a December 7 report by DW Amharic, which cited residents, Feresbet had been under the control of Fano forces since September. The region has experienced intense battles between the two factions, with Fano allegedly controlling over 80% of the Amhara region, although this claim remains unconfirmed by the government.
The killings took place after Fano forces withdrew from the town on Friday. Eyewitnesses stated that approximately 70 government officials were detained by Fano fighters, with 37 of them subsequently killed. Their bodies were later returned to their families for burial, and funerals were held in local churches.
The Amhara regional government has blamed Fano for the deaths, but it remains unclear if an independent investigation has been launched. Desalegne Tassew, head of the region’s peace and security office, confirmed that of the 97 individuals arrested by Fano, 37 were killed, but it is not known whether the remaining detainees have been released.
Fano forces have yet to respond to the government’s accusations. However, pro-Fano activists have suggested that the government might be responsible for the killings, potentially as part of a strategy to undermine support for the militia in the region. No independent investigation has been conducted to verify these claims.
Drone Strikes Reported in Feresbet and North Wollo
In a related development, drone strikes have been reported in the Dekul Kana area of Feresbet, where five people were killed and nine others, including Fano fighters, were injured. These aerial attacks intensified on Thursday, targeting multiple locations within the town, according to DW Amharic.
A previous drone strike in Dawunt, North Wollo, last week resulted in the deaths of over 50 people when a truck, which had been under surveillance for hours, was struck. These drone attacks underscore the growing use of aerial warfare in the ongoing conflict, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the Amhara region.
