Witnesses and medical sources reported to international media that new fighting erupted between government forces and the Fano militias in the towns of Debark and Dabat in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, resulting in at least nine deaths and over thirty injuries.
The violence, which began on Monday, continued into Tuesday.
According to Ale Amlak, general manager of Debark Hospital, the facility has treated at least thirty combatants and civilians, including injured children, since Monday. Some individuals died before reaching the hospital.
Amlak reported, “A church has been hosting a burial ceremony since yesterday.” He added, “I witnessed the burial of six caskets at St. Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Church this morning.”
He noted that among those receiving treatment, one combatant and one civilian had died, though he did not specify whether the fighter was affiliated with the Fano militia or government forces.
A Debark resident, who requested anonymity, stated that the conflict involved the Fano militia and military . They reported witnessing eight deaths by 7 a.m., including a woman who was struck while carrying her child.
Minale Ginbneh, the administrator of the Chilla neighborhood in Dabat district, confirmed the hostilities and reported heavy artillery exchanges on Monday, which damaged at least six buildings.
Due to the fighting, businesses and government offices in Debark and Dabat have been closed for two consecutive days, according to three residents who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
Debark, located approximately 700 kilometers north of Addis Ababa, is the closest town to the Semien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978.
The Alemwach Refugee Camp in Dabat district, housing nearly 20,000 Eritrean refugees, has been reported to be safe, with no injuries reported, according to Minale and Mulugeta Gebresellassie, a refugee spokesperson.
Residents in Gondar, the capital city of Amhara, also reported a third front where government and Fano militias clashed. They stated that fighting began on Monday, with Fano entering some areas of the city.
Anteneh Dires, identified as a leader of the Amhara Fano in the region, claimed that innocent civilians were injured due to government soldiers’ actions.
Most reported casualties were from Debark, with unclear numbers of deaths in Dabat and Gondar.
Attempts to reach officials from the Amhara regional government and the federal communication office were unsuccessful.
International media, including VOA, have been unable to independently verify which side initiated the hostilities.
Last month, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced talks with armed militias in Amhara to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing violence. However, a representative from the Fano militia denied any discussions with the federal government.
The fighting between federal government troops and Fano began over a year ago following allegations that the government planned to disband local paramilitary groups and integrate them into other security formations, such as the federal army.