In the central Gondar area of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, two drone strikes on Tuesday have reportedly resulted in the deaths of 33 civilians in the town of Silare, located in the Kinfaz area. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the casualties include children, women, and elderly individuals, raising serious concerns about the targeting of populated areas and the potential for disproportionate harm to non-combatants.
According to available reports, the strikes took place following fierce clashes between Ethiopian government forces and an armed group identified as Fano. Some sources suggest that the drone strikes may have been mounted as a retaliatory measure after government infantry reportedly experienced significant setbacks during the battle. While social media channels have circulated various accounts of the attack, independent verification remains limited, and neither the Ethiopian government nor the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has issued any official comment on the incident.
The use of drone strikes in this context is part of a broader pattern observed throughout the conflict in the Amhara region. Human rights organizations have repeatedly raised alarms over the impact of such tactics on civilian populations, noting that past incidents have also resulted in high numbers of non-combatant casualties. Critics argue that the adoption of aerial strikes in areas with a significant civilian presence reflects systemic challenges in distinguishing between combatants and innocent bystanders in the ongoing conflict.
With the conflict now stretching into its twentieth month, many in the region continue to suffer the consequences of a prolonged and militarized struggle. The Silare incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of civilian populations caught between clashing forces. Local communities, already beleaguered by continuous unrest, are calling for independent investigations into the use of drone strikes and for measures to better protect civilians amid ongoing hostilities.
Both national and international human rights organizations are urging a thorough review of these incidents. They emphasize that ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of force is critical, not only for addressing immediate humanitarian concerns but also for helping to pave the way for a more sustainable resolution to the conflict.
