More than 100 people are feared to have been killed in a devastating drone strike in Gedeb town, East Gojjam Zone of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, according to accounts from residents and eyewitnesses.
The attack reportedly occurred on April 17 near Gedeb Primary School, where locals had gathered for what they described as community development efforts, including the construction of a school fence. Witnesses describe a horrifying scene in which peaceful civilians were caught in the explosion.
“We were just working on the school,” said one wounded resident, his hand bandaged. “There was a massive blast. People screamed and scattered. Some were rolling on the ground. Others didn’t survive.”
Another eyewitness described the aftermath as beyond recognition. “You couldn’t tell people apart. It was all blackened and burned. It’s something no human being should see.”
According to one local who helped collect the dead, between 115 and 120 bodies were buried in a mass grave at Gedeb St. Giorgis Church. He added that many others may remain unaccounted for amid the chaos.
Hospitals in the area, including Gedeb Primary Hospital, reportedly received dozens of wounded. Many died shortly after arriving due to the severity of their injuries.
Residents said the strike left a deep scar on the community, which was preparing to celebrate Easter. “There was no celebration this year,” one man said. “The town is grieving. Families are broken. Even the children didn’t come home from the cities.”
Following the strike, additional government forces reportedly entered the area, prompting fears of further violence. Residents described widespread panic and the displacement of families who fled out of fear.
While local officials have not confirmed the civilian death toll, the administrator of Enarj Enawga district, Mulu Gete, claimed the operation targeted armed militants. He dismissed reports of civilian casualties as “enemy propaganda,” stating, “This was a stronghold of extremist Fano militants. Talks of school fence construction are just a cover story.”
The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have recently escalated operations across the Amhara region, claiming to have killed more than 300 members of the Fano militia in a single day. However, concerns over indiscriminate drone strikes and civilian deaths have grown steadily since the conflict reignited in April 2023.
According to Addis Standard, previous incidents include a drone strike in February in Ambasel, South Wollo, that killed four civilians—including three children—and another in Zenbo Kebele, North Shewa, that killed a pregnant woman and her young daughter.
As regional tensions escalate and calls for accountability grow louder, human rights groups have urged the Ethiopian government to conduct transparent investigations into the use of drone warfare and ensure civilian protection under international law.