War in Amhara

{{Main|Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)|Tigray war|Ethiopia–Tigray peace agreement}}

The Amhara people have historically dominated Ethiopia's economic, cultural, and political spheres. After the Derg regime's fall in 1991, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) took control of the newly formed government, holding power for decades. This Tigrayan dominance in post-1991 governance mirrored the significant political influence that the Amhara had wielded through most of the 20th century since Emperor Menelik II.{{Cite journal |last1=Endris |first1=Mohammed Yimam |last2=Mengisteab |first2=Kidane |date=2023-12-15 |title=The vicious cycle of power rivalry and fear of losing power syndrome in Ethiopia |journal=Cogent Social Sciences |language=en |volume=9 |issue=2 |doi=10.1080/23311886.2023.2251290 |issn=2331-1886 |via=Taylor & Francis |doi-access=free}} Over time, however, the TPLF's hold on power weakened as political groups from the Oromo people and the Amhara increasingly resisted Tigrayan hegemony.{{Cite journal |last=Jima |first=Abdisa Olkeba |date=2023-12-31 |title=Ethiopian political crisis after reform: Causes of Tigray conflict |journal=Cogent Social Sciences |language=en |volume=9 |issue=1 |doi=10.1080/23311886.2023.2209991 |issn=2331-1886 |via=Taylor & Francis |doi-access=free}} The Amhara youth movement known as Fano emerged during the widespread protests of 2016, where both Oromo and Amhara demonstrators protested against the TPLF-dominated federal government. The term dates back to the 1930s, originating during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War to describe volunteer Amhara fighters.{{Sfn|Kebede|2024|p=|pp=1–2}} While Fano-led protests in the Amhara Region were smaller in scale compared to those the Oromia region, they were markedly more violent. Despite a shared resentment of the TPLF, little was done to unite the Amhara and Oromo ethnic groups for the long-term once the TPLF was replaced in 2018 by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Oromo-dominated administration.{{Sfn|Gardner|2024|pp=94–95}}

Since the start of the 21st century, Ethiopia's federal model has faced challenges from the rapid growth of regional security forces. The origin and formation of Ethiopia's regional forces started in the early 2000s, when the insurgency in the Ogaden led to the creation of a paramilitary and gendarmerie force called the Liyu Police (special police) which was tasked with counterinsurgency against the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) rebel fighters and became a 40,000 strong armed force by the end of the decade. Although established by the federal government, the force answered primarily to the regional governor. Following this development, the regional forces grew exponentially, which led to the formal establishment of the Ethiopian Regional Special Forces. The gendarmerie regional forces began operating in all regions of the country and were restructured to operate similar to that of the US National Guard with each region of Ethiopia having and using their own regional forces. While Ethiopia's regions had the constitutional right to regional forces, they were trained more for combat than policing, posing a growing threat to the federal order and increasing tensions between regions.{{Sfn|Gardner|2024|p=100}} In the following years, the Amhara regional forces were used by the government to suppress regional disorders.{{Cite book |last=Jalata |first=Asafa |url=https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Baro_Tumsa/9a4hEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv |title=Baro Tumsa |date=2024 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-3-031-59687-2 |pages=223 |language=en}} During the late 2010s, the threat posed by these forces began manifesting.

In 2018, the Ethiopian military intervened in the Somali Region in response to the threat posed by the regional special forces unit there, deposing the regional president Abdi Iley. During the 2019 Amhara Region coup attempt, the head of the Amhara regional special forces, Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige, ordered successful assassinations on the president of the Amhara region and the chief of staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF). The ENDF intervened in response, killing Tsige and some of his followers, which temporarily stabilized the situation.{{Cite web |last=G.O |first=Administrator |date=2021-02-22 |title=Regional Special Forces Pose Threat to Peace and Security in Ethiopia |url=https://theglobalobservatory.org/2021/02/regional-special-forces-pose-threat-to-peace-and-security-ethiopia/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=IPI Global Observatory |language=en-US}}File:Fano_fighters_near_Saint_George_church_after_re-capturing_it_from_the_TDF.jpg in Lalibela shortly after recapturing it from the TDF during the Tigray War, December 2021.|left]]In 2020, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the century, the Tigray war, erupted between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF. As hostilities unfolded in Tigray, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed enlisted tens of thousands of fighters from the neighboring Amhara region to join the fight against the TPLF. During the war, Amhara militants under the banner of Fano seized contested areas of western and southern Tigray Region, carrying out ethnic cleansing.{{Cite news |date=27 October 2024 |title=Another African war looms |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/10/27/another-african-war-looms |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-10-28 |work=The Economist |issn=0013-0613 |quote=The most dramatic consequence of the deal has been a quarrel between Mr Abiy and his erstwhile allies from Amhara, militias known as the Fano. During the course of the Tigray conflict the Amhara militias seized—and ethnically cleansed—large parts of western and southern Tigray.}} Fano had publicly claimed Tigray controlled northern districts of Welkait and Raya, as well as the southern district of Dera in Oromia region be placed under the control of the Amhara Region.{{cite news |date=28 March 2020 |title=Fano Will Not Lay Down Arms If Demands Are Not Met: Chairman |url=https://www.ezega.com/News/NewsDetails/7856/Fano-Will-Not-Lay-Down-Arms-If-Demands-Are-Not-Met-Chairman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201202200451/https://www.ezega.com/News/NewsDetails/7856/Fano-Will-Not-Lay-Down-Arms-If-Demands-Are-Not-Met-Chairman |archive-date=2 December 2020 |access-date=2 December 2020 |newspaper=Ezega News}} Being forged in Amhara nationalism and the prophetic tradition of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Fano groups often wear symbolic crosses associated with the envisioned revival of a new Ethiopian kingdom. Orthodox clergy have frequently supported Fano, with monasteries serving as meeting locations, and during the Tigray War, Amhara Orthodox priests attended battlefields to provide prayers and blessings.{{Sfn|Gardner|2024|p=178}} The extreme violence during the ethnic cleansings carried out by Fano forced hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans to flee.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=Ethnic Cleansing Persists Under Tigray Truce |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/01/ethiopia-ethnic-cleansing-persists-under-tigray-truce |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}} The regional forces from Amhara acquired significant amounts of weaponry during the war along with training from Eritrean military advisors{{Sfn|Kebede|2024|p=8}} and the conflict allowed Fano to expand.

In November 2022, the Pretoria Agreement was signed, formally ending the Tigray War. The agreement stipulated that the status of Tigray's occupied areas would be resolved "in accordance with the constitution," though in practice, the issue remained unaddressed, with a delayed response from the government. Amhara forces were not signatory to the agreement. In the wake of Pretoria, the Ethiopian government had come to view the partially demobilized and disarmed Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) as a potential bulwark against Amhara militants.{{Sfn|Gardner|2024|p=341}} Fano felt betrayed by the peace agreement with the TPLF, as the organization views the Tigrayans as the 'historical enemy' of the Amhara people.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-05 |title=Gobierno moviliza fuerzas federales a región Amhara – Mundo – Ansa.it |url=https://www.ansalatina.com/americalatina/noticia/mundo/2024/10/05/gobierno-moviliza-fuerzas-federales-a-region-amhara_ab7aeb2b-72f1-430a-aa57-93a14b0567b2.html |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=spanish |quote=FANO, who consider themselves defenders of the Amhara population, have been traumatized by the idea of peace signed by Prime Minister Ably Ahmed with the Tigué rebels, historic enemies of the Amhara.}} The agreement also led the OLA insurgency to intensify amidst security and provisional reform in Tigray. The OLA had participated in massacres of ethnic Amhara's in the Oromia region.{{Cite web |last=Harter |first=Fred |date=2023-01-12 |title=Ethiopia's Oromia conflict: 'People are dying on a daily basis' |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2023/01/12/Ethiopia-Oromia-conflict-OLA |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=The New Humanitarian |language=en}} Fighting had occurred between Oromo and Amhara militants during the Tigray War.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-26 |title=Kemise Conflict |url=https://epo.acleddata.com/kemise-conflict/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Ethiopia Peace Observatory |language=en-US}} In May 2022, the Ethiopia government arrested thousands of people in the Amhara region in an attempt to weaken Fano.{{Cite web |title=Conflict in Ethiopia |url=https://cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-ethiopia |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=Global Conflict Tracker |language=en}}

In early 2023, the government began to enact the first stage of its plan to recentralize the Ethiopian security services.{{Sfn|Gardner|2024|p=341|pp=341–342}} During early 2023, Amhara forces withdrew from Tigray region as stipulated per the Pretoria agreement.{{Cite web |date=13 Jan 2023 |title=Amhara forces withdraw from northern Ethiopia's Tigray region |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/13/amhara-forces-leave-northern-ethiopias-tigray-region |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Al Jazeera English |language=en}} In April 2023 the government attempted to dissolve the Amhara Special Forces and other regional forces to "promote national unity." This move led to protests and armed resistance by local forces under Fano. The regional special force was perceived by the Amhara people as a buffer against ethnic cleansing and territorial disputes.{{Sfn|Kebede|2024|p=8}} The Ethiopian government saw armed Amhara groups such as Fano and the special forces as a growing threat due to their unregulated nature.

{{Main|List of Fano militia factions}}

Fano presently consists of several insurgent factions that operate independently, without a unified command. These factions are organized locally, each with its own leader in different parts of the Amhara Region.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-05 |title=በአማራ ክልል የሚንቀሳቀሱት የፋኖ ቡድኖች መሪዎች እነማን ናቸው? |trans-title=Who are the leaders of Fano groups operating in the Amhara region? |url=https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/c2v0dzj19y4o |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=BBC News አማርኛ |language=am}} It is active in Shewa, Wollo, Gondar, and Gojjam, where different groups have formed at varying times, often with differing characteristics.{{Cite news |title=ፋኖ ማን ነው? በማንስ ይደገፋል? |url=https://www.bbc.com/amharic/61244459 |access-date=2024-08-16 |work=BBC News አማርኛ |language=am}} Members of the organization claim in all there are 15,000 to 20,000 fighters.{{Cite news |last=Okeowo |first=Alexis |date=2024-12-05 |title=Ethiopia’s Agony: ‘I Have Never Seen This Kind of Cruelty in My Life’ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/magazine/ethiopia-civil-war-crimes.html |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |work=New York Times |language=en}} Fano also lacks a unified platform as many of the factions have objectives that differ greatly in some instances. The six insurgent factions and their respective leaders currently operating under the Fano umbrella are:

• Amhara People's Army led by Eskinder Nega

• Shewa faction in North Shewa led by Meketaw Mamo
• Wollo faction in Wollo led by Mihret Wodajo
• Gojjam faction in Gojjam led by Zemene Kase
• North Gondar faction in North Gondar led by Habte Wolde
• South Gondar faction in South Gondar led by Baye Kengaw

Efforts to unify Fano factions under a single leadership have faced significant challenges. Eskinder Nega of the Amhara People's Army was appointed as the organization's leader at one point, but several factions rejected his leadership. As of October 2024, no unified command structure has been established. Fano commanders have stated that negotiations with the government will not be considered until the insurgency achieves internal unity. A previous attempt to organize peace talks fell apart due to internal divisions, which hindered the group's ability to present a clear plan or position itself as a viable alternative.

In early April 2023, federal forces stormed into the Amhara region to disarm regional and paramilitary forces. The local civilians moved to remote areas, as the resistant fighters joined a protest with police forces. On 9 April, large-scale protests flared up in Gondar, Kobo, Seqota, Weldiya and other cities, including road obstruction and setting tires ablaze to block the incoming Ethiopian Army.{{Cite news |last=Endeshaw |first=Dawit |date=2023-04-09 |title=Gunfire, protests in Ethiopia's Amhara over plan to disband regional force |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/gunfire-protests-ethiopias-amhara-over-plan-disband-regional-force-2023-04-09/ |access-date=2023-07-30}}{{Cite news |date=2023-04-10 |title=Ethiopia's Amhara region hit by protests over move to dissolve regional forces |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65194146 |access-date=2023-07-31 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} The Ethiopian government started to repress opposition media in the region, as well as the killing aid workers by unknown assailants which led the World Food Programme and other NGOs to stop aid operation in that area.{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Neil |date=2023-05-05 |title=Ethiopia: Crackdown in Amhara risks escalating conflict |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/29560/ |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=New African Magazine |language=en-GB}} Two Catholic Relief Services (CRS) were killed near town Kobo region.{{Cite news |date=12 Apr 2023 |title=Gun battles erupt in Ethiopia as PM axes Amhara region's security force |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/apr/12/gun-battles-erupt-in-ethiopia-as-pm-axes-amhara-regions-security-force |access-date=31 Jul 2023 |issn=0261-3077}} According to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, one of their ambulance was shot by unknown militants in Central Gondar Zone, injuring a midwife and driver.

On 4 May, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported a series of militarised situations in the area of North Gondar, North Wollo and North Shewa zones in the town of Shewa Robit, Armania, Antsokiyana Gemza and Majete. The Amhara regional government accused the Fano militia's eastern faction for the assassination of the head of Amhara Prosperity Party Girma Yeshitila on 27 April.{{Cite web |date=30 July 2023 |title=Rights commission says civilians killed in ongoing military conflict in Amhara region, calls for dialogue |url=https://addisstandard.com/news-rights-commission-says-civilians-killed-in-ongoing-military-conflict-in-amhara-region-calls-for-dialogue/ |website=Addis Standard}} Subsequently, the Ethiopian security forces arrested 47 suspects allegedly connected to the assassination plot, accusing them for plotting to overthrow the authorities. The public broadcaster EBC stated that the suspect caught in variety weapons and utilities including weapons, bombs and satellite communications equipment.{{cite web |title=47 arrests after murder of Girma Yeshitila, head of Abiy's Propserity Party party in Amhara |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/305211/ethiopia-47-arrests-after-murder-of-girma-yeshitila-head-of-abiys-propserity-party-party-in-amhara/ |website=The Africa Report |access-date=1 May 2023}} Amnesty International verified the extrajudicial killings of ENDF troops between 10 and 11 October 2023 against health workers, including threatening them with gunpoint.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-26 |title=Ethiopia: End extrajudicial Executions in Amhara region, bring perpetrators to justice |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/02/ethiopia-end-extrajudicial-executions-in-amhara-region-bring-perpetrators-to-justice/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}

On 1 August 2023, heavy fighting erupted between the Fano militia and the ENDF in Debre Tabor and Kobo while ENDF troops attempted to push back Fano from these cities. Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen stated in a rare occasion that security problems in different areas of Amhara region were becoming "concerning."{{Cite news |last=Endeshaw |first=Dawit |date=2023-08-02 |title=Ethiopian military clashes with militia in Amhara, injuries reported |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopian-military-clashes-with-militia-amhara-residents-say-2023-08-02/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804000110/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopian-military-clashes-with-militia-amhara-residents-say-2023-08-02/ |archive-date=2023-08-04}} On 2 August, Fano captured the Lalibela Airport. Through the public broadcaster EBC, ENDF spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adane threatened to bring the military campaign against Fano if they continued "disturbing the country's peace". The Spanish embassy in Ethiopia urged tourists not to leave the city. Heavy clashes were reported around Gondar that same day.[https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-753690 Israel closely monitoring Ethiopia's state of emergency – minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804155935/https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-753690|date=2023-08-04}}, 4 August 2023{{Cite web |title=Casualties as Ethiopian security forces, Amhara militia clash |url=http://www.trtafrika.com/africa/casualties-as-ethiopian-security-forces-amhara-militia-clash-14315514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804145243/https://www.trtafrika.com/africa/casualties-as-ethiopian-security-forces-amhara-militia-clash-14315514 |archive-date=2023-08-04 |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=TRT Afrika |language=en |agency=Reuters}} On 3 August, Amhara regional governor Yilkal Kefale requested help from the ENDF to quell the clashes.{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2023-08-03 |title=Amhara regional state president calls for Federal gov't intervention |url=https://borkena.com/2023/08/03/amhara-regional-state-president-calls-for-federal-govt-intervention/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804141605/https://borkena.com/2023/08/03/amhara-regional-state-president-calls-for-federal-govt-intervention/ |archive-date=2023-08-04 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}}

On 4 August, the Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency after the Amhara regional government requested federal troops for help. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the declaration was necessary as it had become "difficult to control this outrageous activity based on the regular legal system." A curfew and warrantless arrests were introduced and public gatherings were banned.{{Cite news |last=Endeshaw |first=Dawit |date=2023-08-04 |title=Ethiopia declares Amhara state of emergency following militia clashes |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-declares-state-emergency-following-militia-clashes-2023-08-04/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804082348/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-declares-state-emergency-following-militia-clashes-2023-08-04/ |archive-date=2023-08-04}} Later it was reported that Gondar, Lalibela and Dessie had fallen under Fano control.[https://kaabtv.com/ethiopia-declares-state-of-emergency-over-amhara-violence/ Ethiopia Declares ‘State Of Emergency’ Over Amhara Violence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805083009/https://kaabtv.com/ethiopia-declares-state-of-emergency-over-amhara-violence/|date=2023-08-05}}, 4 August 2023[https://www.barrons.com/news/local-fighters-control-three-towns-in-tense-ethiopian-region-f15532a0 Local Fighters Control Three Towns In Tense Ethiopian Region] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805155613/https://www.barrons.com/news/local-fighters-control-three-towns-in-tense-ethiopian-region-f15532a0|date=2023-08-05}}, 5 August 2023 On 5 August, Fano militiamen claimed to have captured Merawi and were aiming to encircle Bahir Dar.[https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-govt-declares-six-month-state-of-emergency-in-amhara-following-clashes-622585 Ethiopia: Govt declares six-month state of emergency in Amhara following clashes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805175514/https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-govt-declares-six-month-state-of-emergency-in-amhara-following-clashes-622585|date=2023-08-05}}, 5 August 2023 On the same day, the Ethiopian security forces announced that they arrested ten people connected to "the security crisis in Amhara".{{Cite web |date=2023-08-05 |title=Ethiopia Announces Arrests in Tense Amhara Region |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopia-announces-arrests-in-tense-amhara-region-/7213137.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805223619/http://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopia-announces-arrests-in-tense-amhara-region-/7213137.html |archive-date=2023-08-05 |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=VOA |language=en}}

The Director-General of the Information Network Security Agency Temesgen Tiruneh stated on 6 August that irregular Amhara forces captured towns, released prisoners and seized government institutions. On 7 August, the Ethiopian government acknowledged they lost control in some towns and districts in the region.{{Cite web |last=Anna |first=Cara |date=2023-08-07 |title=Ethiopia's government says it lost control of some areas in the Amhara region to militia fighters |url=https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-amhara-militia-conflict-be7e40d354fd79cd6765be3a97ae7788 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807085724/https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-amhara-militia-conflict-be7e40d354fd79cd6765be3a97ae7788 |archive-date=2023-08-07 |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=AP News |language=en}} They were able to push back Fano and control Gondar and Lalibela in the following day. A Fano militiaman told to the Reuters that the ENDF was accompanied by anti-riot police and pro-government militiamen.{{Cite news |last=Endeshaw |first=Dawit |date=2023-08-09 |title=Ethiopian military pushes back militiamen in two major Amhara towns |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopian-military-forces-back-militiamen-major-amhara-city-locals-say-2023-08-09/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810162709/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopian-military-forces-back-militiamen-major-amhara-city-locals-say-2023-08-09/ |archive-date=2023-08-10}}{{Cite web |title=Ethiopian forces push Fano fighters from Amhara's Gondar city |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/9/ethiopian-forces-push-fano-fighters-from-amharas-gondar-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810162709/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/9/ethiopian-forces-push-fano-fighters-from-amharas-gondar-city |archive-date=2023-08-10 |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}} The military advanced their control into six towns and flight resumed.{{Cite web |last=Anna |first=Cara |date=2023-08-10 |title=Ethiopia's government recaptures Amhara region towns from militia, government and residents say |url=https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-violence-military-amhara-83f9d6f37acda20ab6429eae138b4e76 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810162712/https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-violence-military-amhara-83f9d6f37acda20ab6429eae138b4e76 |archive-date=2023-08-10 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=2023-08-09 |title=Ethiopia: army advances in Amhara – authorities |url=https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/09/ethiopia-army-advances-in-amhara-authorities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810162711/https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/09/ethiopia-army-advances-in-amhara-authorities/ |archive-date=2023-08-10 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Africanews |language=en}}

According to a statement by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), in Debre Birhan city, due to heavy fighting in four densely populated kebeles on 6 and 7 August 2023, civilians including in a hospital, church, and school as well as residents in their neighborhoods and workers in their workplaces were apparently killed due to fragments from heavy artillery or in crossfire. IDPs in Debre Birhan were also at risk of being caught in the crossfire, particularly those in what is commonly known as the "China IDPs" site near Kebele 8, which hosts close to 13,000 people.{{Cite web |last=Dejene |first=Liya |date=2023-08-14 |title=The human rights impact of the armed conflict on civilians in Amhara Regional State |url=https://ehrc.org/the-human-rights-impact-of-the-armed-conflict-on-civilians-in-amhara-regional-state/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – EHRC |language=en-US}} The EHRC stated that it received credible reports that in many areas of Bahir Dar civilians were killed on the streets or outside their houses while some youths were specifically targeted for searches and subjected to beatings and killings. There are credible reports of many civilian casualties and damages to property in various parts of Gondar and extra-judicial killings in Shewa Robit by the security forces, the details of which were yet to be fully investigated and verified {{as of|2023|08|14|lc=yes}}.

On 13 August, the ENDF carried out a drone strike on the town of Finote Selam, killing 26 people according to the hospital source. The EHRC (EHRC) later reported of shelling in Finote Selam that resulted civilian casualties.{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Hereward |title=Suspected air strike kills 26 in Ethiopia's Amhara region |url=https://www.zawya.com/en/world/africa/suspected-air-strike-kills-26-in-ethiopias-amhara-region-elit9lwa |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.zawya.com |language=en}}

On 3 September 2023, the ENDF captured the town of Majete from Fano. The EEPA reported that the ENDF conducted door-to-door searches in the town and had committed extrajudicial killings against the residents, including the execution of young men. At least 70 civilians were killed in these executions.{{Cite web|title=SITUATION REPORT – HORN OF AFRICA No. 478 – 11 September 2023|url=https://www.eepa.be//wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Situation-Report-EEPA-Horn-No.-478-11-September-2023.pdf|access-date=2023-09-11 |language=en}} On 24 September, Fano re-entered the city of Gondar and clashed with the ENDF. The ENDF sustained multiple casualties during this engagement.{{Cite web |last=MUHUMUZA |first=RODNEY |date=2023-09-25 |title=Fresh fighting reported in Ethiopia's Amhara region between military and local militiamen |url=https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-amhara-fighting-fano-military-87c0f425ade9d5765984d797f36283f5 |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=AP News |language=en}}

On 8 November, Fano briefly recaptured Lalibela by pushing back the ENDF base to rural areas, before the ENDF were able to seize the town in the following day. The government spokesperson, Legesse Tulu, criticize some reports that detail the violence during fighting.{{Cite web |title=Ethiopian troops force armed group out of Orthodox holy site of Lalibela |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/9/ethiopia-troops-force-armed-group-out-of-orthodox-holy-site-of-lalibela |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} The UN estimated on 17 November that nearly 50 civilians have died in the clashes over the past months. Seif Magango, a spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, said that "It is imperative that all parties refrain from unlawful attacks and take all necessary measures to protect civilians."{{Cite web |date=2023-11-17 |title=Dozens Killed in Recent Clashes in Ethiopia's Amhara Region, UN Says |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/dozens-killed-in-recent-clashes-in-ethiopia-s-amhara-region-un-says-/7360427.html |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}

During 2024, Fano insurgents stepped up attacks on the ENDF, while briefly holding several towns and cities.{{Cite news |date=6 October 2024 |title=Ethiopia forces deploy against Amhara rebels |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/363809/ethiopia-forces-deploy-against-amhara-rebels/ |work=The Africa Report |agency=Agence France-Presse}} On 3 January 2024, Fano clashed with ENDF in the city of Debre Birhan.{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-01-03 |title=Fano forces battled Ethiopian troops in Debre Berhan |url=https://borkena.com/2024/01/03/debre-birhan-fano-forces-battled-with-ethiopian-troops/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}} On 8 January, Fano re-entered Gondar city for the third time and clashed with the ENDF. ENDF artillery use in the city reportedly resulted in up to 14 civilian deaths.{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-01-08 |title=Battle Reported in Gondar City, Resulting in 14 Deaths, Including Civilians |url=https://borkena.com/2024/01/08/ethiopia-gondar-battle-14-reported-dead-as-govt-forces-fire-artillery/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}}

On 24 February, the Ethiopian federal government had decided to close the road leading from Shewa Robit to Dessie due to heavy fighting in certain areas between the two cities.{{Cite web |date=24 February 2024 |title=Ethiopian gov't closed Northbound road transport amid escalating battle with Fano forces |url=https://borkena.com/2024/02/24/ethiopian-govt-closes-northbound-road-transport-amid-escalating-battle-with-fano-forces/ |website=Borkena}} On 29 February, Fano begun offensive operations against the ENDF in Bahir Dar. Multiple flights from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar have been reportedly canceled.{{Cite web |last=Mandefro |first=Hone |date=1 March 2024 |title=Fano entered the regional capital Bahir Dar |url=https://x.com/HoMan99/status/1763444877596012610?s=20 |website=X.com}}

On 3 March, Fano clashed with the ENDF in the city of Shewa Robit.{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-03-04 |title=Shewa Robit town reportedly came under Fano control |url=https://borkena.com/2024/03/04/ethiopia-shewa-robit-town-reportedly-came-under-fano-control/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}} On 20 March, Oromo militants attacked Ataye and clashed against local Amhara militias.{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-03-22 |title=Ataye experiencing renewed fighting , at least ten reportedly killed |url=https://borkena.com/2024/03/21/ataye-experiencing-renewed-fighting-at-least-ten-reportedly-killed/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}} On 22 March, Ethiopian Media Services reported that Brigadier General Gaddissa Diro was killed by Fano forces in Dega Damot woreda of Gojjam. It is reported General Diro was killed in Fano's offensive operation named Operation Wubante after Wubante Abate, a Fano commander in South Gondar who was killed in action earlier that week. Fano claims to have captured hundreds of ENDF prisoners of war in Gojjam over the three days since the operation had begun.{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-03-23 |title=Fano Spokesperson in Gojam confirm Defense Force General Killed |url=https://borkena.com/2024/03/23/fano-spokesperson-in-gojam-confirm-defense-force-general-killed/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}} On 12 April, a shootout took place between federal police forces and Fano members near the Millennium Hall in Bole district, Addis Ababa resulted in deaths of two Fano militants and a civilian driver who was "coerced by the militants to pick them up" according to the Addis Ababa Federal Police Commission statement.{{Cite web |last=standard1 |first=Addis |date=2024-04-12 |title=City police say three killed, two injured during shootout with "extremist Fano" members in Addis Abeba |url=https://addisstandard.com/city-police-say-three-killed-three-injured-during-shootout-with-extremist-fano-members-in-addis-abeba/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}}

{{see also|2024 Amhara offensive}}

During July Fano began a general offensive in the region, which as October 2024 has allowed the insurgency to control several rural areas while degrading federal forces ability to use the regional transport network.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=3 October 2024 |title=Ethiopia: Heavy Fighting in Gondar Between Amhara Militias and Government Forces |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/situation-report/ethiopia-heavy-fighting-gondar-between-amhara-militias-and-government-forces |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Stratfor |quote=These operations are reportedly part of a broader Fano offensive that began in July, which has enabled Fano to establish control over certain rural areas in Amhara}} On 15 July, internet service was resumed in the Amhara region after being shut down the previous year.{{Cite web |last=Standard2 |first=Addis |date=2024-07-15 |title=Internet services resume across Amhara region after near year-long shutdown |url=https://addisstandard.com/internet-services-resume-across-amhara-region-after-near-year-long-shutdown/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}} On 22 July, Fano's Chief commander in North Shewa, Colonel Asegid Mekonnen, surrendered to the Ethiopian security forces.{{Cite web |title=Amhara Fano Shewa Command Chief Surrenders to Government Security Forces |url=https://www.ena.et/web/eng/w/eng_4827725 |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=ENA English |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-07-22 |title=Ethiopian gov't says a leading Fano leader in Shewa "surrendered" |url=https://borkena.com/2024/07/22/fano-leader-ethiopian-govt-says-assegid-makonnen-surrendered/ |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}} Transportation between Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar, the capital of Amhara region, was halted in August 2024 due to the fighting.{{Cite web |last=Observer |first=Ethiopia |date=2024-08-19 |title=Transport between Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar comes to a complete halt |url=https://www.ethiopiaobserver.com/2024/08/19/transport-between-addis-ababa-and-bahir-dar-comes-to-a-complete-halt/ |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=Ethiopia Observer |language=en-US}} Furthermore, travel restrictions also imposed in Wollo, Shewa and Gondar.{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-08-21 |title=Fano rebels impose transport restriction across Amhara region |url=https://borkena.com/2024/08/20/ethiopia-fano-rebels-impose-transport-restriction-across-amhara-region/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}}

Fano seized the strategic Ethiopia–Sudan border town of Metemma on the first day of September, aiming to cut off supplies of fuel and food coming across the border. After being disarmed, Sudanese authorities allowed ENDF troops to retreat into Sudan.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-09-02 |title=Sudan closes Ethiopia border after Fano militia seizes town |url=https://sudantribune.com/article290290/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Sudan Tribune |language=en-US}} Gondar, a major city in the region, has seen a surge in violent crimes, including robbery, kidnapping, and murder.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=4 September 2024 |title=Gonder City authorities implicate security forces' involvement in surging crimes of kidnapping for ransom, murder; pledge to crack down |url=https://addisstandard.com/gonder-city-authorities-implicate-security-forces-involvement-in-surging-crimes-of-kidnapping-for-ransom-murder-pledge-to-crack-down/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}} On 17 September 2024, Fano militias started an offensive into Gondar claiming to have captured the city,{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-09-17 |title=Most part of Gondar reportedly under Fano control after heavy fighting |url=https://borkena.com/2024/09/17/gondar-mostly-under-fano-control-after-heavy-fighting-report/ |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Observer |first=Ethiopia |date=2024-09-17 |title=Intense fighting erupts in Gondar and surrounding areas |url=https://www.ethiopiaobserver.com/2024/09/17/intense-fighting-erupts-between-in-gondar-and-surrounding-areas/ |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Ethiopia Observer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-17 |title=በጎንደር እና በአካባቢው ግጭቶች ሲካሄዱ መሰንበታቸውን ነዋሪዎች ተናገሩ |url=https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/cj4dv94j97go |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=BBC News አማርኛ |language=am}} killing at least 9 people and injuring at least 30.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-17 |title=Nine dead in renewed fighting in Ethiopia's Amhara region |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/nine-dead-in-renewed-fighting-in-ethiopia-s-amhara-region/7788651.html |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Voice of America |language=en}} Dozens were confirmed killed during the fighting for the city at the end of September, and urban warfare in Gondar continued into October.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-10-03 |title=Heavy weapons assault in Amhara’s Central Gondar Zone claims 20 lives; fighting continues in South Gondar |url=https://addisstandard.com/heavy-weapons-assault-in-amharas-central-gondar-zone-claims-20-lives-fighting-continues-in-south-gondar/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}} Since 28 September, hundreds of people in Amhara region have been subject to arbitrary arrest and detention at the hands of the Ethiopian army and police.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=Ongoing mass arbitrary detentions in Ethiopia's Amhara region deepen erosion of rule of Law |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/10/ethiopia-mass-arbitrary-detentions-in-amhara-region-deepen-erosion-of-rule-of-law/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=በአማራ ክልል ምሁራንን ጨምሮ በመቶዎች የሚቆጠሩ ሰዎች በጅምላ መታሰራቸውን አምነስቲ አስታወቀ |trans-title=Amnesty announced that hundreds of people, including scholars, were arrested in the Amhara region |url=https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/cy89rm72ll4o |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=BBC News Amharic አማርኛ |language=am}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-10-03 |title=Ethiopia's Amhara Region: An Alarming Campaign of Mass Arrests |url=https://eastafricanreview.com/2024/10/03/ethiopia-arbitrary-arrests-amhara-human-rights/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=East African Review |language=en-US}}

Between July and September 2024, insurgent attacks on the ENDF tripled compared to the same period in 2023.

The end of the rainy season has resulted in an escalation in the war, as drier conditions have allowed troops to maneuver, and clearer skies has enabled greater use of drone strikes. The Ethiopian National Defence Force and the Amhara regional government announced that security operations would be intensified in a joint statement issued on 1 October 2024.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-10-02 |title=ENDF, Amhara admin vow to 'intensify operations' against armed groups and figures embedded within gov't |url=https://addisstandard.com/endf-amhara-admin-vow-to-intensify-operations-against-armed-groups-figures-embedded-within-govt/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Misganaw |first=Aster |last2=Abate |first2=Kennedy |date=2024-10-03 |title=Ethiopian military boosts operations in Amhara region |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopian-military-boosts-operations-in-amhara-region/7809375.html |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Voice of America |language=en}} In what was described as the "final operation" armed forces spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adane declared that, "The only language they [armed rebel groups] understand is force. From now on, we will talk to them in that language."{{Cite web |date=2024-10-17 |title=Atrocity Alert No. 414: Lebanon, Ethiopia and the UN Human Rights Council |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/atrocity-alert-no-414-lebanon-ethiopia-and-un-human-rights-council |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=ReliefWeb |language=en}} The Ethiopian Air Force has been extensively employed throughout October as the government intensified its air campaign against Fano. Helicopter gunships and drones have reportedly been used throughout the region during the new ENDF operation.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-10-14 |title=Ethiopian Air Force Intensifies Air Campaign against Fano Militias |url=https://newsaddis.com/ethiopian-air-force-intensifies-air-campaign-against-fano-militias/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=News Addis |language=en-US}} West Gojjam Zone of Amhara region has seen severe levels of armed conflict since the start of the operation. Tens of thousands of ENDF troops have poured into the Amhara region.

At the start of October, Fano groups jointly issued a travel ban on all major roads.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-10-03 |title=Amhara Fano Militias to Block all Roads in Amhara Today |url=https://newsaddis.com/amhara-fano-militias-to-block-all-roads-in-amhara-today/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=News Addis |language=en-US}} On 3 October 2024, heavy fighting occurred in multiple localities of the South Gondar Zone. Residents reported airstrikes being employed in several districts of the zone, reportedly in both rural mountainous and urban civilian areas. For several weeks, the region has seen a significant influx of ENDF reinforcements. Central Gondar Zone and West Gojjam Zone also witnessed heavy fighting, particularly in the town of Finote Selam, where ENDF artillery bombardment occurred until Fano withdrew on 5 October. However, hostilities resumed the following day as Fano launched a three-pronged offensive to retake the town. Fighting also occurred in the Agew Awi Zone. The ENDF continued to reinforce its presence across the region as "law enforcement operations" persist amidst escalating civilian casualties.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=8 October 2024 |title=Relentless warfare grips Amhara’s West Gojjam Zone; residents trapped amid fierce fighting between gov’t forces, Fano militia |url=https://addisstandard.com/relentless-warfare-grips-amharas-west-gojjam-zone-residents-trapped-amid-fierce-fighting-between-govt-forces-fano-militia/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}} Over October, the intensity of the fighting escalated in multiple areas of the region. The town of Weldiya saw a brief but intense battle on 13 October after Fano forces launched an offensive on ENDF positions, and other towns in the area have reported coming under artillery fire.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-10-15 |title=Woldia City endures night of heavy gunfire, mortar attacks last Sunday; residents still face 'restricted' movement |url=https://addisstandard.com/woldia-city-endures-night-of-heavy-gunfire-mortar-attacks-as-hostilities-soar-residents-still-face-restricted-movement/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}} From 19 to 20 October, the town of Debark in the North Gondar Zone was the site of intense fighting. The ENDF announced after the fighting the "neutralization of terrorist group leaders and members, along with the seizure of weapons."{{Cite news |date=2024-10-22 |title=Ethiopia: Intense Fighting Continues to Rattle Amhara Cities, Towns |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202410220029.html |access-date=2024-10-22 |work=Addis Standard |language=en}} Over 50 people were reported killed in a drone strike carried out in urban areas of North Gojjam zone on 26 October.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-08 |title=በሰሜን ጎጃም በድሮን ጥቃት ነፍሰ ጡር ሴቶችን ጨምሮ 50 የሚሆኑ ሰዎች መገደላቸውን የዓይን እማኞች ተናገሩ |trans-title=Eyewitnesses said that 50 people, including pregnant women, were killed in a drone attack in North Gojjam. |url=https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/c5y3l8vkldlo |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=BBC News አማርኛ Amharic |language=am}} Residents in the region reported being falsely accused of being Fano fighters and targeted by the ENDF.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-18 |title=በሰሜን ጎጃም ዞን ድሮንን ጨምሮ በተፈጸሙ ጥቃቶች በርካታ ሰዎች መገደላቸውን የዓይን እማኞች ተናገሩ |trans-title=Eyewitnesses said that many people were killed by drone attacks in North Gojam zone |url=https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/c8elz7gzg8jo |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=BBC News አማርኛ |language=am}} The war has started causing disruptions to medical supply chains and ambulance services across the region{{Cite news |date=25 October 2024 |title=Amhara Health Association reports four deaths, detentions amid ongoing conflict |url=https://addisstandard.com/amhara-health-association-reports-four-deaths-detentions-amid-ongoing-conflict/ |work=Addis Standard}} and fighting has carried on into the last week of October across several zones in the region.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-29 |title=Deadly clashes between gov't forces, Fano fighters leave civilian casualties across three zones in Amhara region |url=https://addisstandard.com/deadly-clashes-between-govt-forces-fano-fighters-leave-civilian-casualties-across-three-zones-in-amhara-region/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}}

So far, the ENDF has in large part forced Fano to retreat into the mountains to wage its insurgency. On 1 November, BBC Amharic reported that following insurgent attacks in East Welega Zone of Oromia, regional authorities ordered legally armed Amhara residents to surrender their private weapons. This move has heightened tensions, with Amhara residents in Oromia's Gida Kiremu district reporting increased threats and attacks.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-01 |title=በምሥራቅ ወለጋ የጦር መሳሪያ አስረክቡ የተባሉ የአማራ ተወላጆች ስጋት ውስጥ መሆናቸውን ተናገሩ |url=https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/cp8x232zevno |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=BBC News አማርኛ |language=am}} On 5 November, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern over the rising violence in the Amhara region in a phone call with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-11-05 |title=Blinken urges political dialogue amid rising violence in Ethiopia's Amhara region, reaffirms US support for Pretoria Agreement |url=https://addisstandard.com/blinken-urges-political-dialogue-amid-rising-violence-in-ethiopias-amhara-region-reaffirms-us-support-for-pretoria-agreement/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}} That same day, drone strikes and intense fighting erupted in the West Gojjam Zone when the ENDF attacked a Fano training camp, resulting in casualties among militants and civilians. Clashes have reportedly escalated in the zone since then. On 9 November, the town of Shewa Robit was heavily shelled by artillery during a battle, and residents have reported living in a constant state of fear amid the ongoing war.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Violent Clashes Grip Robit Town As Conflict Escalates In Amhara Region |url=https://addisstandard.com/violent-clashes-grip-robit-town-as-conflict-escalates-in-amhara-region/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}} An Ethiopian Air Force helicopter reportedly crashed at Bahir Dar Airport on 16 November. Gojjam Fano claimed they had downed the aircraft, while the ENDF denied any helicopter had crashed.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-11-17 |title=Military Helicopter Crashes at Bahir Dar Airport |url=https://newsaddis.com/military-helicopter-crashes-at-bahir-dar-airport/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=News Addis |language=en-US}}

The Ethiopian government has been unable to defeat Fano military so far, although Fano has been unable to capitalize on this politically due to its highly decentralized nature.{{Cite web |last=Karr |first=Liam |date=26 September 2024 |title=Africa File, September 26, 2024: Fano Offensive in Ethiopia’s Amhara; Egypt Arms Somalia; Rebel Drones in Mali; Burkina Thwarts Another Coup |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/africa-file-september-26-2024-fano-offensive-ethiopia%E2%80%99s-amhara-egypt-arms-somalia-rebel |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} Fano claims to control more than 80% of the Amhara region, with the ENDF restricted to main towns and highways. More than 300 civilians died in drone strikes during 2024. The government has denied journalists access to the region and blocked mobile communication. The United Nations is considering suspending relief operations, including food aid deliveries, following attacks on humanitarian workers in the region.{{Cite news |last=Levinson |first=Reade |last2=Paravicini |first2=Giulia |date=8 October 2024 |title=UN weighs suspending relief to Ethiopia's Amhara after aid workers attacked, document shows |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/un-weighs-suspending-relief-ethiopias-amhara-after-aid-workers-attacked-document-2024-10-08/ |work=Reuters}}

At the start of the year there had been a significant decrease in fighting.{{Cite web |last=ADF |date=2025-02-18 |title=Fighting Continues in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region - Africa Defense Forum |url=https://adf-magazine.com/2025/02/fighting-continues-in-ethiopias-amhara-region/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |language=en-US}} During March 2025 Fano launched a new offensive.{{Cite web |last=Karr |first=Liam |last2=Tyson |first2=Kathryn |last3=Ford |first3=Yale |date=20 March 2025 |title=Africa File, March 20, 2025: Qatari-Mediated Ceasefire in DRC; SAF Closes in on Khartoum; RSF Attacks Spread to South Sudan; Al Shabaab Ramadan Offensive; Tigray Simmers as Amhara Escalates; Russia's Red Sea Efforts; Burkinabe Massacres |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/africa-file-march-20-2025-qatari-ceasefire-in-drc-saf-khartoum-rsf-attacks-south-sudan-al-shabaab-ramadan-offensive-tigray-amhara-escalates-russia-ethiopia-navy-burkina-massacres |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Critical Threats}} The Ethiopian army claimed to have killed hundreds of Fano fighters.{{Cite web |date=22 March 2025 |title=Ethiopia’s army claims to have killed 300 Fano fighters in renewed clashes |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/22/ethiopias-army-says-more-than-300-fano-fighters-killed-in-renewed-fighting |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} On 17 April 2025 more than 100 people were killed in an Ethiopian military drone strike in East Gojjam zone. The drones struck villagers at a primary school; dozens of bodies were buried in mass graves the same day. Local officials deny civilian deaths, claiming the strike hit Fano militants. The attack fits a pattern of Amhara‑region drone strikes causing civilian casualties amid the ENDF’s campaign against Fano since 2023.{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-04-24 |title=More than 100 people killed in drone strike in East Gojjam zone, Amhara region; eyewitnesses report civilian casualties |url=https://addisstandard.com/more-than-100-people-killed-in-drone-strike-in-east-gojam-zone-amhara-region-eyewitnesses-report-civilian-casualties/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Addis Standard |language=en-US}}

As of May 2025, the armed conflict between the Fano militia and Ethiopian federal and regional forces in Amhara has entered its 20th month, with no sign of resolution. Civilians remain trapped between both sides, facing widespread extortion, forced payments, arbitrary arrests, and drone strikes. Reports from human rights organizations describe the region as operating under a de facto state of emergency, despite the official expiry of the federal mandate in 2023. The government has been accused of war crimes and abuses, such as mass detentions without trial, enforced disappearances, and indiscriminate military actions causing civilian casualties.{{Cite web |last=Yoseph |first=Nardos |date=2025-05-03 |title=The Thin Line Between Security And Suppression: Post-Emergency Realities In Amhara |url=https://www.thereporterethiopia.com/44944/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=The Reporter Ethiopia |language=en-US}}

Amhara opposition movements describe the conflict as a prolonged humanitarian and national crisis, citing the closure of thousands of schools, the rise of child marriages and abductions, and economic collapse due to investor flight and disrupted markets. While regional authorities claim progress toward peace and development, critics argue that the government's rhetoric of dialogue lacks genuine follow-through. The region remains heavily militarized, with recent ENDF operations reportedly killing hundreds of Fano fighters. Analysts warn that without a shift from militarized suppression to meaningful political dialogue, the conflict risks further escalation and long-term instability.

{{see also|Human rights in Ethiopia}}

The war has allegedly resulted in over 15,000 casualties, both combatants and civilians. During July 2024 UN noted that more than 2,000 civilians had been killed during 2024 as a result of fighting. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said that many human rights violations have occurred throughout Amhara Region. The violence has destabilized the regions medical system and made travel to facilities too dangerous for many residents. Human Rights Watch reported that Ethiopian army troops have beaten, arbitrarily arrested, and intimidated medical workers for treating patients suspected of being Fano. Hospitals have also been raided and ambulances attacked. More than 5,000 women have sought medical treatment for sexual abuse since the start of the war, though this is believed to be a fraction of the real toll by Ethiopian civil society groups.

The EHRC said that the Ethiopian Air Force's airstrikes and drone strikes on the cities of Debre Birhan, Finote Selam, and Bure has caused civilian casualties as well as damage to residential and public areas.{{Cite news |date=2023-08-14 |title=Suspected air strike kills 26 in Ethiopia's Amhara region |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/suspected-air-strike-kills-26-ethiopias-amhara-region-2023-08-14/ |access-date=2023-08-14}} Civilians in Bahir Dar were reportedly dragged out of their homes and "killed on the streets or outside their houses while some youths were specifically targeted for searches and subjected to beatings and killings." People of Amhara origin in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa were reportedly subjected to widespread arrests by security forces.{{Cite web |last=Dejene |first=Liya |date=2023-08-14 |title=The human rights impact of the armed conflict on civilians in Amhara Regional State |url=https://ehrc.org/the-human-rights-impact-of-the-armed-conflict-on-civilians-in-amhara-regional-state/ |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – EHRC |language=en-US}} The EHRC also said it had received "credible reports" that extrajudicial killings by security forces had taken place in Shewa Robit and that civilian casualties and property damage had occurred in Gondar. On 30 January 2024, ENDF reportedly carried out a massacre in Merawi that resulted in at least 89 civilian deaths.{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-02-01 |title=Ethiopian gov't soldiers allegedly massacred at least 80 civilians in Merawi |url=https://borkena.com/2024/01/31/merawi-massacre-ethiopian-govt-forces-allegedly-executed-80-civilians/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=AAA-admin |date=2024-02-05 |title=Preliminary Report on the Merawi Massacre |url=https://www.amharaamerica.org/post/preliminary-report-on-the-merawi-massacre |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240301003819/https://www.amharaamerica.org/post/preliminary-report-on-the-merawi-massacre |archive-date=2024-03-01 |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Amhara Association of America |language=en}}

Drone strikes in late 2023 mostly killed civilians, according to media reports. BBC News reported 30 to 40 people killed in a strike in Sayint district on 10 December. Al Jazeera English obtained footage of a 30 November drone strike that killed five civilians, including hospital staff, near Delanta Primary Hospital in Wegel Tena. The footage showed an ambulance ablaze with its roof caved in, consistent with a direct aerial hit.{{cite Q|Q124059950|url-status=live}} On 19 February, near Sela Dingay, Mojana Wedera district an ENDF drone struck a truck full of civilians returning from a baptism resulting in at least 30 civilian deaths.{{Cite web |last=Account |date=2024-02-23 |title=At least 30 civilians were killed in the latest drone strike in the North Shoa Amhara region |url=https://borkena.com/2024/02/22/ethiopia-drone-strike-at-least-30-civilians-were-killed-in-the-latest-drone-strike/ |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Borkena Ethiopian News |language=en-US}}

During December 2024, Fano fighters threw grenades into anti-war rallies being held in Amhara region.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-12-18 |title=Ethiopia: Hand Grenade Attack Disrupts a Public Rally in Woldia |url=https://newsaddis.com/ethiopia-hand-grenade-attack-disrupts-a-public-rally-in-woldia/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=NewsAddis |language=en-US}} Refugees displaced in the Amhara region due to the ongoing Sudanese civil war have increasingly become targets of abuse from various armed actors, including Fano and the ENDF.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-17 |title=Ethiopia: Fighting, Abuses Putting Sudanese Refugees at Risk |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/17/ethiopia-fighting-abuses-putting-sudanese-refugees-risk |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=17 October 2024 |title=Sudanese Refugees Face 'Grave Risks' From Ethiopia Clashes: HRW |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/sudanese-refugees-face-grave-risks-from-ethiopia-clashes-hrw-85c1cdd4 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Barron's |language=en-US |agency=Agence France Presse}}

In early stages of the war, the United States was "deeply concerned" about the violence, while Spain and the United Kingdom warned their citizens against traveling to parts of Amhara. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom stated on 7 August that "humanitarian access is difficult due to blockage of roads; communication is difficult due to internet suspension, conflicts have an immediate impact on people's health and can have grave, long-lasting consequences on health systems. We call for uninterrupted access and protection of health care in Amhara, so [that] WHO and partners can continue our work. Above all, we call for peace."{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2023 |title=WHO expresses concern, calls for uninterrupted access and protection of health care in Amhara region |url=https://addisstandard.com/news-who-expresses-concern-calls-for-uninterrupted-access-and-protection-of-health-care-in-amhara-region/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807182706/https://addisstandard.com/news-who-expresses-concern-calls-for-uninterrupted-access-and-protection-of-health-care-in-amhara-region/ |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=Addis Standard}}

• Tigray War
• OLA insurgency
• Persecution of Amhara people
• 2023 in Ethiopia
• List of wars: 2003–present

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite paper |last=Kebede |first=Agenagn |date=24 Oct 2024 |title=The immediate causes of the Amhara Fano Force's rebellion against the government of Abiy Ahmed |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10246029.2024.2415946?src=exp-la |journal=African Security Review |doi=10.1080/10246029.2024.2415946 |url-access=subscription |via=Taylor and Francis}}
• {{Cite book |last=Gardner |first=Tom |title=The Abiy Project: God, Power and War in the New Ethiopia |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. |year=2024 |isbn=9781911723103 |location=}}
• {{Cite report |url=https://riftvalley.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Understanding-the-Fano-Insurgency_final-1.pdf |title=Understanding the FANO insurgency in Ethiopia's Amhara region |last1=Necho |first1=Atrsaw |last2=Debebe |first2=Yared |date=February 2024 |publisher=Rift Valley Institute}}
• {{Cite report |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/b194-ethiopia-new-war-amhara_0.pdf |title=Ethiopia's Ominous New War in Amhara |last=ICG |date=16 November 2023 |publisher=International Crisis Group |issue= |edition=Crisis Group Africa Briefing}}

{{Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)}}{{Ongoing military conflicts}}

Amhara

Amhara

Category:History of the Amhara Region

Category:2023 in Ethiopia

Category:2024 in Ethiopia

Category:Conflicts in 2023

Category:Conflicts in 2024