Addis Abeba(LM) The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have reported a series of “military victories” against the Fano armed group in the Amhara region, claiming to have killed over 300 fighters in a single day in Gojam. This announcement comes amid escalating violence and significant civilian casualties attributed to drone strikes, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region since the conflict reignited in August 2023.
In a statement released over the Easter weekend, the ENDF detailed a “string of operations” across the North Shewa and Gojjam zones. They reported neutralizing four leaders of the Fano group along with 50 armed fighters in Basona Wereda of North Shewa. The army also stated that approximately 30 individuals were injured and captured during these operations, seizing a cache of weapons, including three Bren guns and five sniper rifles.
Colonel Gadisa Diro, commander of the operational unit, highlighted a coordinated operation in Dera Wereda, targeting the militant group’s training coordinator, which inflicted significant losses on the Fano group.
Additionally, the ENDF announced intensified military operations in the Western Oromia region, specifically in the Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, targeting what the government refers to as “Shane-affiliated militants,” a term used for the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The military claims to have killed or captured several militants during these efforts.
These announcements of military successes come amid growing volatility in the Amhara region, where violence has surged since the federal government declared a state of emergency in August 2023. The conflict between federal forces and Fano militias has escalated, with analysts noting a potential shift in dynamics marked by the increased deployment of regional anti-riot militias and police units.
Recently, over 10,000 members of these regional forces graduated from the Bir Sheleko Basic Paramilitary Training Center, in a ceremony attended by Amhara region president Arega Kebede and senior ENDF commanders. Desalegn Tasew, former head of the Amhara Peace and Security Bureau, characterized this training as essential for restoring stability and aligning public interests with government objectives.
However, the renewed Fano offensives, particularly in Central Gondar and North Gojjam zones, under the banner of a “unity” campaign, are contributing to rising civilian casualties and displacement, indicating a potentially prolonged and intensified phase of conflict in the region.
