The Ethiopian Defense Force (EDF) announced on Friday that it has killed 200 “extremists” in operations across the Gojjam zone of the Amhara region, in what appears to be a continuation of the protracted conflict with Fano militia forces. The EDF also reported 53 wounded, though it did not confirm any casualties among its own ranks.
According to a Defense Force statement, the operations took place between November 27 and December 9 in North Gojjam, Awai, and West Gojjam districts, including Bahir Dar, the administrative capital of the Amhara region. The force described its campaign as “fast, mobile, and clandestine,” claiming to have captured 41 militants, accepted 19 surrenders, and granted 37 conditional amnesties.
The EDF also reported significant arms seizures: 174 AK-47s, 191 rifles, 6 Chi-Chi rifles, 14 handguns, 15 hand grenades, 14 landmines, and an 82mm mortar launcher, suggesting that Fano operations go beyond small-scale guerrilla attacks.
Meanwhile, Fano forces released their own figures, claiming they had killed 215 government troops and wounded 80 over a single week in the Metema districts of North Gondar. Fano did not disclose its own casualties. Yohannes Nigussu, speaking to Anchor Media, attributed the reported gains to operations by the four Corps of the Belay Zeleke Command in Shemela Gara and surrounding areas.
Nigussu also revealed that Fano is conducting a 45-day internal review to strengthen its organizational structure and remove members suspected of ties to the government. A similar process is reportedly underway among Fano units in Wollo, led by Mere Wodajo. These measures follow the surrender of a Fano leader, which the government presented as a “peace negotiation” under the auspices of African Union and IGAD representatives.
The ongoing exchanges of claims underline that, more than six months after EDF Chief of Staff Field Marshal Berhanu Jula told parliament that 90% of rebel groups had been eliminated, the Fano militias remain a potent force in Amhara, capable of conducting large-scale operations.
No independent verification of either side’s casualty figures is currently available.
