On Wednesday, heavy clashes broke out in the historic Ethiopian town of Lalibela, pitting federal government forces against a regional militia, as reported by local residents.
This is not the first instance in which the UNESCO World Heritage site has become entangled in confrontations within the Amhara region, involving the Ethiopia National Defence Force and the armed group referred to as Fano.
“Fighting began this morning around 8:00, we can still hear gunfighting. It looks like Fano are in control of parts of the city. I can see small groups on the main road,” a Lalibela church deacon told media, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
“The ENDF are still in control of the airport,” he said, adding that the fighting was ongoing and that some civilians had been wounded.
“Last night Fano approached Lalibela from four directions and fighting started this morning around 8:00,” another resident told media.
He stated that there had been no combat in the vicinity of Lalibela’s ancient rock-hewn churches, which attract visitors and pilgrims from all over Ethiopia and the globe.
Independent verification of the situation in Amhara is unattainable due to severe restrictions on media access to the region.
In early August, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration declared a six-month state of emergency following the outbreak of conflict in Amhara earlier this year. This development has raised apprehensions about Ethiopia’s stability, coming only months after a peace agreement concluded a devastating two-year war in the neighboring Tigray region.