Ethiopia is once again facing a major internal conflict, this time in its Amhara region — one of the country’s most influential and populous areas — where government forces are battling Fano militias in a deadly and drawn-out rebellion.
The Fano, a loosely organized armed movement rooted in Amhara nationalism, has launched a widespread offensive across the region since mid-March, prompting violent clashes with federal troops. Although the Ethiopian military claims to have repelled the offensive and killed hundreds of fighters, residents and local sources report to AP that fighting continues in multiple towns and rural districts.
Originally emerging during protests in 2016, the Fano fought alongside government forces during the war in neighboring Tigray. However, tensions grew after the peace deal that ended that conflict failed to address the status of western Tigray — a contested area that Amhara forces had seized but which may now be subject to a referendum.
“We don’t see this as a real peace,” said one Fano commander based in the Gojjam area, who claims the movement now controls large swathes of Amhara.
What began as scattered skirmishes evolved into open rebellion in mid-2023, with Fano fighters briefly seizing several towns. Since then, they have adopted guerrilla tactics, ambushing military convoys, erecting road checkpoints, and destabilizing local governance structures.
Civilians in the region describe life under constant uncertainty. “One week the army is in charge, the next week it’s the rebels,” said a mother of three in Debre Markos, a southern Amhara town. Thousands of schools have been shut, displacing millions of students, and access to food and healthcare remains severely limited.
Human rights organizations have raised alarms about alleged abuses by both sides. Ethiopian troops have been accused of extrajudicial killings and drone strikes targeting civilian areas, while the Fano have reportedly carried out assassinations and disrupted public services. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in February in Merawi, where dozens of civilians were allegedly executed by government forces following a rebel attack.
The Ethiopian government has denied targeting civilians and claims it is committed to stability and peace. It has set up regional peace committees and signaled openness to dialogue. However, progress has stalled, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed acknowledging that the Fano’s fragmented leadership makes negotiations difficult.
The situation remains volatile, with fears that the rebellion could spread or intensify. Young Amhara men continue to join the Fano ranks, driven by grievances over perceived marginalization and a desire to protect their community.
As Ethiopia struggles to maintain unity among its diverse regions and ethnic groups, the conflict in Amhara threatens to open another dangerous chapter in the country’s long journey toward peace and stability.