Lt. Col. Teka Mekebo Mohammed, a senior commander in the Ethiopian National Defence Forces’ 48th Division, was killed in fighting in the Amhara region on Tuesday, Fano sources told DNE Africa. The colonel and his entourage died during a night-time battle for control of Zoble Amba town, which began at 4 p.m. local time.
Fano Claims Responsibility
Fano sources attributed the colonel’s death to their forces’ efforts to liberate Zoble Amba. This incident is the latest in a series of clashes between the Ethiopian Defence Force and the Fano militia in the Raya Kobo area over the past two months. These clashes have resulted in significant losses for the Ethiopian Defence Force, according to local reports, alongside civilian casualties attributed to the army’s use of heavy weaponry and drones.
Civilian Casualties Reported
On 28 December, a heavy weapons attack on Kul Mesk town in the Wollo Gidan district reportedly killed civilians in a meeting hall and nearby homes. Separately, on 25 December, a young woman was killed in Kobo city, allegedly for family ties to the Fano. This incident prompted protests from local mothers.
Who Are the Fano?
Fano describes itself as a freedom fighter force taking up arms for justice. According to the group, its members are drawn from various backgrounds—farmers, religious leaders, merchants, students, teachers—united by their opposition to perceived injustices. They claim to fight when they believe their country is invaded, their people wronged, and justice denied.
Amhara Grievances
The Amhara people, Fano contends, face an existential threat stemming from long-standing state-level grievances. These include alleged cultural and historical suppression, displacement, and the targeting of Amhara identity. The lack of peaceful avenues to address these issues, coupled with the alleged imprisonment and kidnapping of Amhara activists and journalists, has reportedly driven the community to armed resistance.
Their Objectives and Current Situation
The Fano’s stated objectives include seizing control of the government structure, bringing to justice those accused of crimes against the Amhara people, and securing compensation for victims. Their armed struggle, which began roughly a year and a half ago, has grown from localised resistance into a more organised force, equipped with heavier weapons. The militia claims to have incorporated defectors from the Ethiopian Defence Forces, ranging from generals to ordinary soldiers, and to control over 70 percent of the Amhara region.
