A new statement released by the Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) has reignited debate over the human-rights situation in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, with the group accusing the federal government of widespread atrocities, including rape, killings and the destruction of civilian property. The AFNF claims that these abuses amount to a systematic campaign against the Amhara population and calls for international action. But while the allegations highlight the gravity of the crisis, the broader conflict shows that civilians continue to suffer not only at the hands of government forces but also from the actions of Fano militias themselves.
The AFNF statement, which portrays the government’s military operations as a deliberate assault on Amhara communities, echoes concerns raised in previous reports by humanitarian organizations. However, local residents and independent observers say the reality on the ground is more complex than the narrative presented by either side. Government troops have been accused of excessive force and mass arrests, but Fano fighters have also been linked to acts of retaliation, forced recruitment, disruptions to public services and the use of populated areas as staging grounds for conflict. For civilians, these competing claims offer little reassurance, as each escalation between the two sides draws violence closer to their homes.
In several districts, residents describe a situation in which government offensives and Fano counterattacks have created a climate of constant insecurity. Towns change hands abruptly, and the presence of armed actors—whether federal or militia—often results in fear, displacement and the collapse of local institutions. Communities report that they have been left without functioning schools, clinics or administrative offices as both forces operate with little regard for the long-term stability of civilian life. In this environment, the accusations raised by the AFNF may reflect genuine grievances, but they also illustrate a wider pattern in which armed groups attribute blame solely to one another while avoiding scrutiny of their own conduct.
The AFNF’s call for international intervention underscores the lack of trust between the two sides and the absence of a credible mechanism for accountability. Yet independent analysts note that neither the government nor Fano has demonstrated a commitment to protecting civilians or reducing tensions. While the federal government has framed its campaign as a law-enforcement effort against unlawful militias, Fano’s own operations have repeatedly exposed civilians to retaliation and destabilized local governance structures that communities depend on. The result is a conflict in which both the state and insurgent actors justify their actions as defensive, even as the humanitarian situation deteriorates around them.
For many Amhara civilians, the latest statement from AFNF is another reminder of how political and military actors continue to speak on their behalf while failing to shield them from harm. Families displaced by government operations say they fear the return of fighting if Fano tries to reassert control, while those living in areas dominated by militias report intimidation and the absence of any form of accountability. As long as the conflict remains defined by mutual accusations rather than efforts to protect non-combatants, the region is likely to face further instability.
The AFNF statement may intensify international attention, but on the ground, residents say what they urgently need is not a new exchange of allegations but an end to the cycle of violence driven by both the government and Fano militias. Until meaningful steps are taken by all parties to prioritize civilian safety, establish independent investigations and reduce hostilities, the Amhara region’s humanitarian crisis is expected to persist.
