At least 21 civilians were killed by government forces during house-to-house operations in Ethiopia’s Amhara region on April 16, followed by deadly drone strikes on April 17 that claimed the lives of more than 120 others, local sources told DNE Africa on condition of anonymity.
The two consecutive days of violence mark a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict between federal troops and local militia groups in the northern region, where tensions have been simmering since the government ordered the dismantling of regional forces last year.
According to residents in the East Gojjam Zone, soldiers entered several neighborhoods in the Enarije Enawga district on Tuesday, April 16, conducting door-to-door raids that left 21 civilians dead. Witnesses described scenes of panic and fear as families were dragged from their homes.
“The soldiers came early in the morning. They didn’t spare anyone,” said one resident. “We lost friends, neighbors — ordinary people, not fighters.”
The following day, on Wednesday, April 17, three drone strikes targeted the same district in rapid succession, hitting a densely populated area where locals were gathering in preparation for Orthodox Easter celebrations, which will be observed on Sunday.
“All three drones struck within minutes, while people were setting up for the holiday,” another witness told DNE Africa. “There was no warning. The attacks turned the area into a massacre site.”
Local officials estimated that more than 120 people were killed in the airstrikes. Most of the victims were civilians, including women and children. Emergency teams reported difficulties in reaching the scene due to the destruction and ongoing security concerns.
Ethiopian authorities have not commented on either incident, and media access to the area remains heavily restricted. The government has previously defended its military operations in Amhara as necessary to quell armed insurrections and restore law and order.
However, rights groups and opposition voices have accused the government of using excessive force and carrying out collective punishment against local populations. The use of drones — a tactic increasingly deployed in Ethiopia’s internal conflicts — has drawn sharp criticism from international observers concerned about civilian safety.
The Amhara region has remained volatile since federal authorities moved to disband regional special forces in 2023, prompting armed resistance from the Fano militia, once allied with the federal government during the Tigray conflict. The fallout has led to recurring clashes, arrests, and a heavy military presence across the region.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called for independent investigations into repeated allegations of extrajudicial killings and indiscriminate bombings in both Amhara and Oromia.
As the country approaches Orthodox Easter, many fear further violence could erupt in other parts of the region. The United Nations and the African Union have not yet issued statements on the latest attacks.
