Ethiopian army

Ethiopian army forces have significantly increased their presence in Amhara state, a region grappling with a year-long insurgency, according to a security source. The Fano, a powerful local militia linked to the Amhara ethnic group, has been engaged in armed conflict with the federal government since April 2023. The government’s attempts to disarm regional forces sparked the insurgency. Amnesty International has reported mass arbitrary detentions in the region, including arrests of academics. The government’s restrictions on access to Amhara state have hindered independent verification of these reports. Recent clashes between federal forces and the Fano in Debark, a town in Amhara, resulted in civilian casualties. The Fano, known for its autonomy and sporadic attacks on government forces, has managed to seize control of several towns and cities. The conflict in Amhara state is a continuation of the broader tensions that arose during the civil war in neighboring Tigray. Many Amharans, who fought alongside government forces in the Tigray conflict, felt betrayed by the peace agreement that did not address their territorial claims.