Reports from the Associated Press indicate that violence is escalating in Ethiopia’s Amhara region as clashes have erupted between federal government forces and the Fano militia. Once allied during the Tigray conflict, Fano has since expressed grievances related to a peace agreement and what it regards as the political marginalization of the Amhara people. Central to the movement is Asres Mare Damte, a former lawyer who has become a deputy leader within one of Fano’s factions. Damte, who left Ethiopia in 2022 after facing repeated arrests for his activism, has shifted from a legal career to a role in armed resistance; he asserts that his faction controls substantial areas of the region—a claim that has not been independently verified.
The Amhara, Ethiopia’s second-largest ethnic group, have long voiced concerns about their political representation and calls for increased autonomy. The Fano group, which emerged during the 2016 anti-government protests, has evolved into a decentralized force backed by sizable local support. Its use of guerrilla tactics has, however, led to significant disruptions in governance, commerce, and daily life, with civilians increasingly affected by the evolving conflict. Importantly, this report does not endorse or promote armed struggle but rather highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the ongoing dispute.
The conflict has taken a toll on the region’s infrastructure and public services. Thousands of schools have been closed, depriving millions of children of education, while food aid remains scarce in many remote areas. Human rights organizations have reported serious concerns regarding the conduct of Ethiopian government forces, citing allegations of extrajudicial killings, drone strikes, and other actions that have reportedly impacted civilians. For instance, AP sources detailed an incident in Merawi in February 2024, following a Fano attack, and similar accounts have emerged from Brakat. The Ethiopian government, however, maintains that its operations target only combatants.
Efforts to resolve the conflict through dialogue have met significant challenges. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has initiated talks with Fano representatives, yet progress is hindered by the militia’s decentralized leadership structure. While many within the Amhara community see the movement as an assertion of identity and a demand for greater political participation, the entrenched ethnic and political tensions continue to undermine prospects for a peaceful resolution. This situation underscores the broader challenges facing Ethiopia’s federal system as it navigates a period marked by deep-seated divisions and uncertainty.
