– Amhara-based Fano forces have accused the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) of executing at least eight civilians in the Antsokia Gemza district of North Shoa, in what they describe as a deliberate act of retaliation following recent clashes.
In a statement released on Monday, the “Shewa Teklay Gizat Command” of Fano claimed that ENDF troops entered the locality of Fecho Megenteya, going door-to-door in a coordinated sweep. According to the account, residents were forcibly removed from their homes and executed on the spot. The victims reportedly included daily laborers, respected community elders, a father and son, and siblings.
The statement alleged that the killings were carried out to avenge battlefield setbacks suffered by government forces. “It is not possible to stop Fano’s struggle by massacring civilians,” the group declared, vowing to continue its resistance.
The Ethiopian government has repeatedly denied targeting civilians in its ongoing operations against the Fano forces, which have been engaged in an armed standoff with federal authorities for over two years. However, both domestic and international human rights organizations have documented recurring incidents of extrajudicial executions and air or drone strikes in the Amhara region since 2023.
Last month, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission confirmed in its annual report that civilians have been deliberately targeted during the conflict, although it rejected allegations of drone attacks — claims that have nonetheless been consistently reported by local media and international outlets.
The Fano forces, originally organized as local defense groups, played a significant role in supporting the ENDF during the Tigray conflict in 2020–2022. Relations between the two sides soured after federal authorities sought to disarm regional fighters under a controversial post-war security restructuring plan. This move triggered a wave of armed confrontations in Amhara, escalating into one of Ethiopia’s most volatile internal conflicts.
The latest accusations add to mounting concerns over alleged abuses by all parties to the conflict, with rights groups warning that the cycle of violence and reprisals is deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
