Fano forces active in Ethiopia’s Amhara region have claimed responsibility for a grenade attack that allegedly killed two senior government officials and injured others in a targeted operation in South Gondar.
The incident reportedly took place in Woreta, within Fogera district, around 7:30 P.M. local time. According to local sources cited by Ethio News, the attack occurred at the Mesere Hotel, where zone-level government officials and anti-riot police commanders were holding a meeting.
Fano operatives claim that a grenade was detonated during the gathering, killing two unnamed Prosperity Party officials instantly. Several others are said to have sustained injuries, with some reportedly in critical condition. No casualties have been reported on the Fano side.
As of this report, the federal government has not commented on the incident, continuing a pattern of silence regarding Fano’s battlefield claims over the past two years. Observers note that when government responses do emerge, they often reference unrelated locations, a tactic believed to be aimed at undermining Fano’s credibility.
Independent verification of such incidents remains difficult. Journalists face restricted access to conflict zones, and government-aligned YouTube channels and digital activists dominate available narratives.
Renewed Fighting in North Gondar
Elsewhere in Amhara, heavy fighting has erupted in the Armachiho area of North Gondar, according to reports from Ethio Focus. Details remain scarce, but the clashes reflect ongoing instability and the persistent challenge posed by Fano forces across multiple fronts.
Army Reports Surrenders in North Shewa
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) released a statement on Saturday claiming that several members of what it termed an “extremist group” had surrendered in Angolala Tera, North Shewa zone. The army published images showing roughly ten individuals and a cache of firearms, including machine guns, allegedly handed over during the surrender.
The ENDF maintains that its military pressure has compelled increased defections from armed factions. This comes after the government launched “Operation Tide” in June, an offensive aimed at dismantling Fano’s presence in the region entirely. However, the operation has fallen short of its declared goals.
Despite official claims that over 90 percent of armed groups had been neutralized, Fano continues to release videos purporting to show recent battlefield victories and the capture of government troops, suggesting that resistance remains robust.
The growing insurgency in Amhara and persistent attacks such as the one in Woreta point to deepening volatility, casting further doubt on the government’s assertions of control and raising concerns about long-term stability in the region.
