Fighting and rights violations were recorded in more than 21 woreda and city administrations across 11 zones of the Amhara region between September 14 and 20, the Amhara Association of America said.
The U.S.-based group listed North Wollo, South Wollo, North Shewa, East Gojjam, West Gojjam, North Gojjam, Awi, South Gonder, Central Gonder, West Gonder and Welkait-Tegede-Setit Humera in its weekly war update, published on September 21. It also noted related developments in Gurage Zone of the Central Ethiopia region. The group describes the fighting as being between Fano forces and federal and regional joint forces.
Civilian casualties were recorded in five woredas: Kobo in North Wollo, Mojana-Wadera in North Shewa, Dega-Damot in West Gojjam, Guagusa-Shikudad in Awi and Alefa in Central Gonder, the update said. It recorded abductions in Enemay woreda of East Gojjam and drone activity in Meket, Dera and Alefa. The online summary does not include a full event table, and the claims have not been independently verified.
The update covered the same week that seven armed and opposition groups announced the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, with the stated aim of removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and installing a transitional authority. Reuters reported that the members include the Amhara Fano National Movement and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), opponents in the 2020 to 2022 war, along with groups from Oromia, Afar, Somali and Benishangul-Gumuz. TPLF vice president Amanuel Assefa told Euronews that Fano leader Zemene Kassie would chair the alliance.
Government spokesperson Billene Seyoum told Reuters that alliance members had been collaborating for some time with financial backing from Eritrea, which has denied similar accusations in the past. International Crisis Group analyst Magnus Taylor told Reuters that weak capacity, long distances and political differences could hamper joint operations.
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