EPO Weekly Update (21 May 2024)

Situation Summary

Airstrikes targeting Fano militias resulted in civilian fatalities in Amhara region. Last week, violence resurged along the border between South Ethiopia and Oromia regions and in Gambela region.

Airstrikes hit civilians in Amhara region

In Amhara region, battles between the Ethiopian National Defense Force and Fano militias were reported in South Wello and North Wello zones. In addition to clashes, the government conducted a number of airstrikes, including one strike on 12 May in Kewet woreda, North Shewa zone, that reportedly killed seven civilians. A second strike on the same day in Tarema Ber woreda, North Shewa zone, reportedly led to the death of three Fano members and four civilians. 

The government’s use of airstrikes increased significantly during the northern Ethiopia conflict and has continued to be a key part of the Ethiopian government’s anti-insurgency strategy in both Amhara and Oromia regions. The air strikes, both from drones and from fighter jets, have drawn complaints of high civilian casualties. In February 2024, a government airstrike on a truck in Mojan Wedera woreda, North Shewa zone, reportedly killed 30 people and wounded 15 others. Since August 2023, 29 airstrike incidents have resulted in at least 323 reported fatalities in Amhara region. 

Clashes along the border between South Ethiopia and Oromia regions

On 14 May, gunmen from West Guji zone, Oromia, engaged in two days of armed clashes with unidentified gunmen from Amaro/Kore zone, South Ethiopia region, resulting in three reported fatalities. Local authorities confirmed the clashes and requested assistance from the federal government to halt the fighting.¹Yonatan Zebdewos, ‘It has been reported that three people have been killed in a renewed conflict on the border of southern Ethiopia and Oromia regions,’ VOA Amharic, 15 May 2024 Clashes along the borders of West Guji and Amaro zones are the result of territorial claims and counterclaims over administrative boundaries between the Guji and the Amaro, with conflict occurring sporadically.

Insecurity deepens in Gambela

Violence persisted for a second week in Gambela region. On 12 and 13 May 2024, Gambela state police clashed with an unidentified armed group in Fulkorse kebele in Itang special woreda. At least six civilians and three members of the security forces were reportedly killed, and 20 others were injured due to the clash. Militants set houses ablaze, and at least 10,370 residents were displaced.²Gebremichaell Gebre Medhin, ‘It was reported that 11 people were killed in the Itang special district conflict and thousands were displaced’, VOA, 15 May 2024 The road connecting Gambela town and Itang special woreda was temporarily closed following the clashes. Fighting began when security forces tried to disarm an unidentified armed group.³Negasa Desalegn, Negash Mohamed, and Tamirat Dinsa, ‘People died due to a conflict in Itang special woreda in Gambella region,’ DW Amharic, 14 May 2024

Gambela region was peaceful for years, but instability originating in Itang special woreda, beginning in May 2023, has reversed trends, and violence has increased. On 19 April, the regional government appointed eight new officials who were to replace officials fired a few weeks prior in connection with the escalating security incidents in the region.⁴Gambella Regional Gov’t Press Secretariat Office, ‘The Gambella National Regional Government has appointed eight new leaders,’ 19 April 2024; Gambella Regional Gov’t Press Secretariat Office, ‘The government of the Gambella region has announced that it has removed four senior leaders from their positions because of the recent security crisis in the Gambella region,’ 8 April 2024