58 political violence events
8% decrease compared to the last two weeks
14 incidents of violence targeting civilians
0% change compared to the last two weeks
At least 114 reported fatalities due to political violence
64% decrease compared to the last two weeks
ACLED is a living dataset and figures are subject to change as new information becomes available.
Clashes between the OLA/OLF-Shane and government forces drop drastically in Oromia, but violence against civilians persists
The number of armed confrontations between the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane — and government forces in Oromia has decreased by 60% since 1 December, following the peace agreement signed between the Oromia regional government and the OLA/OLF-Shane faction led by Sanyi Nagasa. The decrease comes as the faction’s forces began to enter rehabilitation camps (for more, see Ethiopia Weekly Update (10 December 2024) and Ethiopia Weekly Update (17 December 2024). Between 25 January and 14 February, ACLED records just one clash, on 12 February, when the OLA/OLF-Shane ambushed government officials and security forces at Moye Gajo area in Sululta woreda of Sheger city. The militants killed the woreda administrator, the woreda head of the Prosperity Party, and several members of the security forces. Additionally, several members of the security forces were injured, and the militants abducted an unspecified number of them along with the head of the Sululta Woreda Security Bureau. Since December 2024, the frequency of attacks against local officials has increased in the region, with most of these events perpetrated by the OLA/OLF-Shane in North Shewa zone.
The government has sought to reduce the group’s influence, using both calls for militants to peacefully surrender and military operations, among other tactics. On 3 February, the Ethiopian and Kenyan governments announced a joint operation against the OLA/OLF-Shane at the border of the two countries with the aim of curbing the group’s activity, which reportedly includes contraband trade and the trafficking of people and arms.1Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, ‘Ethiopia, Kenya launch joint military operation against OLF/Shene,’ 3 February 2025 The OLA/OLF-Shane criticized the cooperation, saying the Ethiopian government was “misleading” Kenyan officials, and accused senior leaders of the Ethiopian National Defense Force of being involved in contraband trade.2Abraham Tekle, ‘Ethiopia, Kenya launch coordinated military offensive against alleged OLA hideouts,’ The Reporter, 8 February 2025 Since Abiy sought Kenya’s assistance in countering OLA/OLF-Shane militants along the border in 2020, the two governments have been discussing collaborative measures to enhance regional security.3Sadik Kedir Abdu, ‘Ethiopian, Kenyan intelligence chiefs discuss joint fight against terrorism,’ Anadolu Agency, 22 August 2024
Although incidents of violence involving the OLA/OLF-Shane have notably declined in the region, political violence — especially attacks targeting civilians by various groups, including government forces — has persisted. From 1 to 14 February, ACLED records six events targeting civilians in the region and 15 reported fatalities. The killing of a prominent coffee farm investor by at least 10 unidentified armed men in Wala kebele in Gera woreda, Jimma zone, on 13 February sparked demonstrations in Jimma and Chira towns demanding justice and calling on the government to put an end to civilian killings. The investor recently received around 200 farmers’ lands for investment. This has reportedly created grievances among farmers who were displaced by the acquisition, and some of them reportedly had threatened the investor before his death.4BBC Amharic, ‘The incident that displaced thousands of people following the murder of a businessman in Jimma zone,’ 17 February 2025; Seyum Getu, Shewaye Legese, and Hirut Melese, ‘The conflict that displaced people in Gera woreda, Jimma zone,’ DW Amharic, 18 February 2025
Though the identity of the armed group is unknown, some accuse ethnic Amharas of killing the investor.5BBC Amharic, ‘The incident that displaced thousands of people following the murder of a businessman in Jimma zone,’ 17 February 2025 As a result, the killing triggered retaliatory attacks based on identity within the woreda. An unknown number of Oromo youth — locally known as Qeerroo — attacked ethnic Amharas and their property in Bore town and Oba kebele, reportedly killing at least 10 civilians. Over 7,000 civilians — predominantly ethnic Amharas — fled to the adjacent South West Ethiopia region.6BBC Amharic, ‘The incident that displaced thousands of people following the murder of a businessman in Jimma zone,’ 17 February 2025 The regional police stated that they had arrested two individuals accused of being involved in the killing of the investor, while the regional government accused unspecified groups of trying to exploit the incident to incite religious and ethnic conflicts.7Facebook @oromiabc, 16 February 2025
Civilians in Amhara face violence targeting health, transport, and education services
Civilians are bearing the brunt of armed violence in Amhara, which is having a major disruptive impact on basic services and day-to-day activities. From 1 to 14 February, ACLED records six violent events targeting civilians and seven reported fatalities. On 1 February, Dr. Andualem Dagne, a surgeon and director of Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital Surgery department, was shot and killed by unidentified assailants while traveling home from work in the capital, Bahir Dar city. Another physician from the same hospital narrowly avoided being shot by the same attackers just moments before the fatal incident. This killing prompted a wider discussion on security in the region across various social media platforms and a protest among hospital staff, who called on the government to ensure the safety of health care workers. Health workers have faced various attacks since the start of the Fano conflict in April 2023. From 1 April 2023 to 14 February 2025, ACLED records 18 violent events targeting health workers and facilities, including five airstrikes.
Attacks on roads in Amhara further affect residents and travelers. On 2 February, local security forces clashed with around eight gunmen in Narew Darega kebele in Central Gondar zone after the armed group stopped a minibus and abducted 13 passengers at Awdada Got area. The abducted individuals were freed following the altercation. On 6 February, three armed men reportedly shot and killed one and wounded four civilians near Gendewuha town in West Gondar zone. Assailants stopped a public transport vehicle traveling from Gendewuha town to Gondar, robbed the passengers, and shot at those who resisted.
Abduction and looting targeting the transport industry began to increase in the region after the Fano conflict began in April 2023. Transportation service providers have either ceased operations in specific areas, like the Gondar-Metema route in western Amhara, or have adopted longer routes to avoid attacks. Furthermore, vehicles are required to make payments at various checkpoints established by either government forces or Fano militias, forcing them to pay substantial amounts of money at each stop, helping drive up the cost of basic goods.8Abebe Fikir, ‘It was stated that the number of kidnappers targeting drivers, who regard abduction as a regular occupation, has risen in the Amhara region,’ The Reporter, 16 February 2025
Kidnappings and attacks are also impacting the education sector. For instance, on 12 February, Fano militias abducted 13 teachers from Kore Elementary School in Kore Tenkere Kebele in North Gojam zone, demanding a ransom of up to 50,000 Ethiopian Birr for their release. While the government mandated that schools remain open, Fano militias have ordered the closure of schools and frequently abducted teachers who did not comply with their orders. Since the beginning of the current academic year in September 2024, ACLED records four violent events targeting teachers in Amhara.
