Residents march in Bahir Dar in a rally in support of the Ethiopian army, in a photo released October 27, 2026. Photo: Amhara Communications Affairs Office via X
The Amhara regional communication office said on Tuesday that residents of Bahir Dar held a rally in support of the federal army, as Fano units claimed new gains against Gov't forces in South Gondar.
Photos released by the Amhara Communications Affairs Office show crowds walking through the regional capital with Ethiopian flags and printed banners, some of them in traditional dress. The office said the rally supported the army and condemned "the enemies of Ethiopia." It quoted the city's first deputy mayor, Goshu Endalamaw, telling the soldiers: "Your blood is our blood, your bones are our bones, and your victory belongs to Ethiopia."
In a second post, the office quoted residents as saying that "the evil aims of internal agents have been reversed by the steadfastness of our people and the heroism of our army," and said the rally had sent "a clear warning message to historical enemies and their agents." The office did not say how many people took part.
Fana Media Corporation reported that tens of thousands of residents joined the march, part of a week of rallies for the army across Amhara and other regions, and that marchers declared Ethiopia would move "from the dam to the port." The account @Habtishgreat put the crowd at no less than half a million and said marchers showed solidarity with "the Prosperity Party's quest for sea access" and the port of Assab. Mereja could not verify either figure.
The regional Gov't has spent the past week saying that armed men are leaving the bush. On Sunday the communication office said fighters who had been operating in Tach Armachiho woreda of Central Gondar had accepted the Government's peace call and rejoined their communities. Earlier the same day it said former fighters in Weybeb kebele of Wegera woreda, also in Central Gondar, had done the same. Neither statement gave numbers. The account @Habtishgreat posted a video on Tuesday that it said showed hundreds of Fano fighters who had surrendered, quoting them as saying, "We are not fighting to be sellouts and bandits." Mereja could not confirm the numbers, the identity of the men or when the video was filmed, and has asked the Government Communication Service about reported surrenders.
Other accounts on X describe a different war. Writing on Tuesday, @neby_G said that fighters of the Belay Zeleke 3rd Command's Major General Wubante Abate 1st Corps had inflicted heavy casualties on Gov't forces in the town of Ambesame on October 23 and 24, and had captured a DShK heavy machine gun and several PK machine guns. @Geteriew1 posted photographs it said showed the weapons seized in Ambesame. These claims could not be checked independently.
In South Wollo, the Menelik 1st Command held a public meeting with residents and elders in Koreb town of Meqdela woreda, attended by senior Fano leaders and members of what the movement calls its civilian structure, according to a post by @Geteriew1 on Tuesday. The same account said the command held a similar meeting with residents of Debre Zeyit on Monday.
Other claims reached further. The account @hornafricanguy wrote on Tuesday that Fano forces were reportedly advancing toward Lalibela through Lasta and Bugna, and that heavy fighting was reported in Minjar Shenkora in Shewa. The post named no source, and Mereja could not verify either report.
The federal Government has not commented on the fighting in South Gondar. The Government Communication Service did not answer questions Mereja sent on October 25, and has not answered a new request sent on Tuesday. On Sunday the army chief, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, told an Army Day gathering that the army had defeated seven "Tsimdo" groups, BBC Amharic reported. BBC noted that the seven-party alliance announced last month includes Fano.
Sources
- Amhara Communications Affairs Office on X (Bahir Dar rally, deputy mayor)
- Amhara Communications Affairs Office on X (Bahir Dar residents)
- Amhara Communications Affairs Office on X (Tach Armachiho)
- Amhara Communications Affairs Office on X (Wegera, Weybeb)
- @Habtishgreat on X
- @neby_G on X (Ambesame)
- @Geteriew1 on X (Ambesame weapons)
- @Geteriew1 on X (Koreb, Meqdela)
- @Geteriew1 on X (Debre Zeyit)
- @hornafricanguy on X (War Update 54)
- Fana Media Corporation, October 27, 2026 (Bahir Dar rally)
- @Habtishgreat on X (crowd size, sea access)
- BBC Amharic, October 25, 2026 (army chief's speech)