War in Amhara

War in Amhara
Part of the Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)
Map of Ethiopia showing areas of Fano militia presence (in yellow) and areas under the control of the Ethiopian government (in red)
Date 9 April 2023 – present (1 year, 7 months and 1 day) Location Amhara Region and the Western Zone (Spillovers into Oromo Region) Status Ongoing Heavy clashes erupt between Fano and ENDF during August 2023 Drone attacks against civilian targets[1] Mass arrests and detention of Amhara civilians[2] State of emergency declared Fano forces launch offensive in July 2024[3] ENDF launches major counter-offensive in October 2024[4][5]
Belligerents
Fano factions Amhara People's Army Wollo Fano Gojjam Fano Gondar Fano Shewa Fano	Ethiopia ENDF Amhara Region Government	Oromo Liberation Army
Commanders and leaders
Eskinder Nega Meketaw Mamo Mesafint Tesfu Fantahun Muhabaw Zemene Kassie[6][7] Mihretu Wodajo[6]	Abiy Ahmed Birhanu Jula Abebaw Tadesse Abraham Belay Yilkal Kefale (2023) Arega Kebede	Jaal Marroo

The War in Amhara is an armed conflict and insurgency in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia that began in April 2023 between the Fano militia and the Ethiopian government. The conflict started after 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.^[8]

Tensions between Fano and the government had been growing for a year before the conflict. Although Fano fighters had allied with the government during the Tigray War, relations soured after the November 2022 peace agreement, which Fano viewed as a betrayal. The government, in turn, saw Fano as a growing threat due to its unregulated nature.^[9] In early 2023, the government enacted the first stage of its plan to recentralize the Ethiopian security services and moved to dissolve the Amhara regional special forces.^[10] Some regional special forces joined Fano militants who began fighting against the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF).^[9]

By mid-2023 much of the Amhara region had become a warzone^[10] as Fano launched offensives in key cities, briefly taking control of some before being pushed back by the ENDF. A six-month state of emergency was declared in August 2023 following a request from the Amhara regional government.^[11] Fighting escalated in 2024, with renewed offensives by Fano in the Gondar and Gojjam zones and increased military operations by the ENDF. The conflict has resulted in airstrikes, clashes over key towns, and reports of rising civilian casualties.^[12][13][14] During July 2024 Fano launched a broad offensive across the region^[15] and in October 2024, the Ethiopian military launched a large scale counterinsurgency operation. Much of the Amhara countryside has come under Fano control, with reports of extortion, theft, and kidnapping becoming common.^[16] West Gojjam zone in particular has seen severe levels of armed conflict since October.^[17]

The conflict has been marked by human rights violations, including reports of extrajudicial killings by the ENDF, according to organizations such as Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).^[18][19] Amnesty International reports the government has been arbitrarily detaining thousands of civilians in internment camps.^[20] Communication have been restricted and access denied to journalists attempting to report from the region.^[21] The war has reportedly caused over 15,000 casualties, including combatants and civilians.^[22]

Despite some local support, Fano's lack of centralized leadership has raised questions about the insurgency's sustainability. While the government has been unable to decisively defeat Fano, the militia has struggled to leverage its gains politically due to its decentralized nature.^[9] International observers warn that the conflict risks destabilizing the entire country.^[23]