In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, the government has deployed fighter helicopters to rescue hundreds of besieged soldiers. The Ethiopian Defense Force (EDF) reportedly launched the operation on December 28, 2024, after government forces found themselves surrounded by rebel fighters in the strategic Ajire Janora area of Gondar. This move marks the latest chapter in the conflict, which has already caused significant casualties and strained the Ethiopian military’s resources.
Local sources indicate that intense fighting has been raging for several days in Gondar and surrounding areas. Approximately 400 government troops are said to be trapped in the region, prompting the urgent airlift of additional resources. Alongside the fighter helicopters, commando forces have been deployed to assist in the operation, which also includes evacuating wounded soldiers from the front lines.
The Ethiopian government has yet to officially comment on the ongoing situation, but local reports from sources within the region paint a grim picture of the conflict’s toll. Ethiopian Media Service (EMS) cited Arbegna Wabi Reta, a representative from the Fano militia in North Gondar, who claimed that 100 government soldiers had been killed in recent clashes. Although drones have also been deployed, there has been no confirmation of casualties from these airstrikes.
Fighting is not limited to the Ajire Janora area. Intense battles have been reported further north, particularly in Dabat, Belesa, Armachiho, and Ebnat, as both government and rebel forces vie for control of vital corridors leading to Sudan. These areas have seen the heaviest fighting in recent days, and sources suggest that rebel forces continue to make territorial gains. The region remains largely inaccessible to independent journalists, making it difficult to verify the full scale of the conflict.
The Ethiopian government has attempted to downplay the situation in the region. However, the ongoing military engagement, combined with the significant loss of life and property, continues to destabilize the country’s political and security landscape. While the EDF has been focusing efforts on regaining control of Amhara, rebel forces—primarily composed of local militias—maintain their grip on much of the region. The continued dominance of rebel fighters in several key territories underscores the resilience of these forces, despite the government’s military intervention.
In addition to the ground conflict, drone strikes have been reported in various parts of the Amhara region, including the Gojjam area, with reports suggesting both military and civilian targets may have been affected. However, the exact number of casualties from these airstrikes remains unclear, and the Ethiopian government has not issued an official statement regarding the impact.
The situation in Amhara is further complicated by the political tensions between the regional government and federal authorities. In November 2024, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, the chief of the Ethiopian Defense Force, visited Bahir Dar, the seat of the Amhara regional government, to discuss the ongoing military operations. During this meeting, he reportedly threatened to withdraw EDF forces if the operation—referred to by authorities as the “final operation”—failed to yield results by December. He further accused regional officials of supporting the Fano rebel group, making it clear that the government would not tolerate such support.
Despite the government’s stated objectives to eliminate rebel forces by the end of 2024, there are no signs of a military resolution. Instead, rebel forces continue to hold much of the region, while reports indicate that they have made significant military gains over the past few months. The prolonged conflict has raised concerns about the stability of the Amhara region and the broader political future of Ethiopia, which is already grappling with challenges posed by internal divisions and external pressures.
The Ethiopian government’s declaration of a “final operation” in 2023 aimed to end the rebellion quickly, but as the year comes to a close, the operation appears far from achieving its goals. Military operations have not only failed to eliminate the rebel forces but have also resulted in widespread displacement, with thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire. The humanitarian situation in the region remains dire, with aid organizations struggling to gain access to affected areas due to ongoing fighting and government restrictions.
As 2024 reaches its end, it is clear that the conflict in Amhara will continue to shape Ethiopia’s future. The government’s ongoing military intervention, along with its efforts to broker peace with local communities in South Gondar, reflects a broader push for reconciliation. However, with rebel forces continuing to control large parts of the region, the outcome remains uncertain, and the prospect of a lasting peace is still elusive.
The Ethiopian Defense Force’s commitment to a final military resolution in Amhara, combined with the government’s public rhetoric and military strategies, raises questions about the long-term sustainability of Ethiopia’s military operations in the region. As the situation evolves, the international community will be watching closely to gauge the potential for diplomatic interventions and the future trajectory of Ethiopia’s internal conflict.
