On October 27, clashes erupted between Ethiopian government forces and Fano militias across multiple zones in the Amhara region, leading to civilian casualties and injuries, according to accounts from residents who spoke with local media. Violence spanned the South Wollo, East Gojjam, and Awi zones, where armed confrontations resulted in the loss of life, injuries, and disruptions to essential services.
In South Wollo’s Ambassel district, a resident from Robit town described an intense day of violence, recounting a prolonged morning exchange of gunfire that left numerous casualties. “We heard continuous gunfire, and after the fighting, vehicles transported those dead and wounded,” the resident stated. Following the conflict, local authorities reportedly detained many young people, creating an atmosphere of ongoing tension in the town.
Meanwhile, in Awi Zone’s Addis Kidam, another resident shared that clashes continued through the day, with heavy gunfire keeping residents indoors. “At least six civilians lost their lives here,” he explained, noting that a substantial military presence and fear of renewed violence prompted many to flee to rural areas.
Further conflict occurred in East Gojjam’s Mota town, where artillery fire reportedly began on October 27 and carried into the next day. Explosions and stray bullets endangered residential areas, disrupting transport and other services. Some bodies, a resident reported, remain unburied as of now.
This series of violent encounters marks a new escalation in the Amhara region’s ongoing conflict, intensifying since the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the regional government committed to continuing “law enforcement operations” on October 1 to restore peace. Just last week, intense fighting was reported in Debark, North Gondar Zone, with residents describing heavy clashes between Fano fighters and government troops. Earlier reports indicated that drone strikes and gunfire in South Mecha, North Gojjam, had resulted in the deaths of over 100 civilians, a tragedy currently under investigation by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. In mid-October, Woldia in North Wollo Zone also experienced significant violence, adding to heightened tensions in the area.
