By ALEXANDER GEBREEGZIHER
Drone strikes in the town of Kheret, located in Enarj Enawga Woreda of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, resulted in the deaths of over 100 civilians.
Eyewitnesses and local residents reported that the victims were community members engaged in development activities, such as constructing a school fence and building a house, when the attack occurred.
Most of the victims were young people, and several sustained injuries; at least 24 were taken for treatment, though most later died due to the limited capacity of the local health center.
The aftermath was chaotic, with bodies transported to a nearby church by motorbike for mass burials.
The final death toll is believed to be between 115 and 120, with some bodies still unidentified.
Local authorities claimed the strike targeted armed Fano militants allegedly gathered in the area.
However, residents denied the presence of any Fano fighters and insisted that only civilians were killed.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has announced that it is monitoring the incident.
The Ethiopian government has faced criticism for its handling of the conflict, with allegations of massacres and human rights violations by state troops.
International bodies, including the United Nations and the European Union, have called for investigations into these incidents.
The ongoing violence has resulted in the closure of over 3,600 schools and the displacement of thousands of civilians.
The situation remains dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. The international community continues to urge for accountability and a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the Amhara region.
The Amhara region has been embroiled in conflict since late 2015, when the Fano militia emerged as a significant force.
Initially, Fano allied with the federal government during the Tigray conflict, but tensions escalated after the government attempted to disarm regional forces, including Fano.
This move led to clashes between Fano and federal troops, particularly in areas like Merawi, where dozens of civilians were killed during confrontations .
The Fano militia, comprising several factions operating independently, has been accused of engaging in ethnic violence against Tigrayans and Oromos.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented abuses such as extrajudicial killings and forced displacements.
The militia’s decentralized structure and lack of a unified command have complicated efforts to negotiate peace