Colonel Tadese Esheta, a leader within the Fano militia, was killed in battle in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia, the group has confirmed. The fighting occurred in the South Gondar Zone, specifically in the Ras Gayint Hagere Genet area, near Zagoche.
Esheta died while fighting against the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) in what has been described as a fierce and intense battle, according to sources within the Fano.
The Fano rebellion, a powerful Amhara-led resistance movement, has deep historical roots in the region. The group has evolved from a traditional defense force into a modern insurgent group, challenging the Ethiopian government. Observers say the Fano’s actions are transforming the Horn of Africa’s political and military landscape.
The Fano militia, described as a “self-defence” force, took up arms against the state after authorities attempted to disarm them. The group’s emergence has been attributed to longstanding grievances among the Amhara people, who have experienced what they describe as decades of systemic marginalisation, mass killings, and displacement in various parts of the country.
