Intense clashes between Fano militants and government security forces have left a trail of significant destruction and loss of life in Debre Tabor, the administrative seat of the South Gondar Zone in the Amhara region. Reports from residents indicate that the violence erupted early Wednesday, February 4, 2018 (Ethiopian Calendar), with heavy gunfire beginning around midnight and continuing until late Wednesday evening. The confrontation follows a period of escalating tension in the region that spiked after the reported withdrawal of National Defense Forces from the area the previous Friday, which subsequently allowed militant groups to enter the city.
The scale of property damage within the city is described by locals as massive, specifically targeting government infrastructure. Witnesses told the BBC that several key institutions were set to fire, including the Farta district police office, the Zonal Police Department, the Civil Service Department, and the Zonal Governor’s guesthouse. In addition to the burning of administrative buildings, the city administration confirmed that electronics, vehicles, and ambulances were looted or destroyed. While an exact death toll has not been officially released, residents reported that four civilians were killed during the unrest, and they noted the use of drone strikes on the outskirts of the city, specifically in the Covenant Mercy and Abba Elgawi areas.
The city administration has characterized the events as an invasion by an unnamed armed group aimed at looting and destruction. In a statement released via social media, officials shared images of charred buildings and stated that the militant forces have since been pushed out. By Thursday, the administration claimed that the city was returning to its “previous activities” and that businesses were beginning to reopen. This sentiment was echoed by the state-owned Amhara Media Corporation, which reported that peace had been restored to the city and that rebel forces were no longer in control.
Despite these official assurances of stability, the atmosphere among the population remains one of deep anxiety and uncertainty. Residents who spoke on the condition of anonymity expressed fear that the current calm is fragile, noting that the cycle of one force entering as another retreats has created a security vacuum. This gap has reportedly been exploited by criminal elements engaged in robbery and kidnapping. While the Amhara National Movement (ABN) acknowledged the escalation of armed activity in the region, the Amhara Regional Administration has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the specific clashes in Debre Tabor. As of Thursday evening, public and private institutions remained largely closed as the community began the grim task of burying those killed in the fighting.
Would you like me to draft a follow-up summary focusing specifically on the humanitarian impact described by the residents?
