Ethiopian forces accidentally killed around 40 fighters in a drone strike in Amhara’s insurgency-hit Waghemira area on January 15. The victims were part of a pro-government militia, the Fano, which has defended local communities since federal disarmament efforts began in April 2023.
Amhara, Ethiopia’s second most populous region with roughly 23 million residents, has seen persistent unrest as militias resist central control. A local official described rushing to the site, witnessing smoke, flames, and the agonising injured amid scattered body parts of the fallen.
He said 36 fighters died instantly, with two more succumbing to injuries in hospital, highlighting the strike’s devastating impact on their own forces. Medic Abebaw Zinabu, who treated survivors, told AFP that “more than 40” people were killed, confirming the heavy toll on the militia camp.
The official questioned how such an attack could strike a well-known government-aligned camp that has protected civilians for six years. The Ethiopian army later admitted the strike was a “mistake,” though the drone had hovered over the camp for some time before the attack.
An army spokesperson told AFP they had “not received any information” regarding the incident, reflecting confusion within military channels. Ethiopia faces multiple insurgencies, notably in Amhara and Oromia, compounded by mounting tensions with neighbouring Eritrea along its northern border.
Conflict monitors say drone strikes have repeatedly caused high casualties; ACLED reported at least 669 deaths in over 70 strikes across Amhara since 2023. This latest incident underscores the dangers of drone warfare and the persistent volatility of Ethiopia’s internal security landscape.