Another Round Of Heavy Fighting Erupts Across Battle Scarred Amhara Region

ENDF implicates Tigrayan genera in widespread clashes

Heavy fighting has erupted in the Amhara Regional State over the past week, as clashes between government security forces and armed groups dubbed Fano escalate in several parts of the region, reports indicate.

A statement issued by the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) on Friday night confirms the escalating violence, which it attributes to a renewed Fano campaign. The statement also claims the armed group and its ‘Unity’ campaign is backed by Migbe Haile, a Tigrayan brigadier general.

“ENDF has taken devastating measures on Fano forces and General Migbe’s forces in South Gondar, West Gondar, North Gojjam, East Gojjam, West Gojjam and North Wollo. In the past two days alone, ENDF neutralized 576 members of the armed group and seized several weapons,” reads the statement.

The statement accuses General Migbe of attempting to override the Pretoria Agreement by launching repeated attacks on government positions in a bid to reclaim the disputed territories of Western Tigray, as well as of engaging in smuggling gold.

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However, analysts say the statement contradicts itself by implicating the General in the attacks while at the same time accusing his forces of collaborating with Fano.

Nonetheless, sources confirmed to The Reporter that the past week has seen heavy fighting in the Amhara region.

“The Fano forces in different parts of Amhara launched coordinated heavy offensives against the government a few days ago. This is a fact. However, the government is linking Fano with Tigray’s generals, whom it concludes are attempting to overthrow the interim administration in Tigray. This might hint at government plans to launch attacks on the faction,” said a source close to the matter, speaking anonymously.

Tigray Interim Administration President Getachew Reda stated a few days ago that a group of senior military officers in Tigray are engaged in attempts to overthrow the TIA. He also accused the faction of working with the Eritrean government.

The source claims that if the federal government launches attacks on the faction in Tigray, the clashes might escalate into a conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

During a parliamentary session on Thursday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assured MPs of his administration’s desire to avoid a conflict with Asmara.

“Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea for the purpose of gaining access to the sea. Our desire is to engage in dialogue and discussion on this matter instead. Access to the Red Sea is nevertheless an existential matter for Ethiopia. What we want is to peacefully address our current challenges,” he said.

The conflict in the Amhara region is quickly approaching its second year, with reports of civilian casualties showing no signs of abating.