Security forces reportedly killed 40 civilians in Sekela, West Gojam Zone, Amhara Region, between May 13 and 15, 2024.
Asham TV reported that government security forces killed innocent people who were on their way to church and returning from a wedding ceremony.
According to local residents and families of the victims, a fight occurred in the area on May 12, 2024 between Fano militants and government security forces.
Due to the threat, residents fled to Bahir Dar city and other rural areas.
The Deputy Head of the West Gojam Zone Command Post, Mr. Edmealem Anteneh, acknowledged the fighting but denied any civilian casualties.
Last week, two drone attacks in two districts under the North Shewa Zone of the Amhara region killed four people, including teachers, and caused injuries to an unknown number of people.
The conflict in the Amhara region began after the federal government decided to “reorganize” the regional special forces a year ago.
The clashes between government security forces and Fano militants led to the declaration of a six-month state of emergency in the Amhara region in August 2023.
This state of emergency has been extended for another four months, with two weeks remaining.
International human rights institutions and Western countries, including the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, have reported that innocent citizens have been killed by repeated drone attacks in the Amhara region.
Despite calls from these institutions and countries to halt drone attacks and protect civilians, the Chief of General Staff of the National Defense Army, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, stated that the drone attacks would continue, and targeted attacks would persist.
Additionally, Amnesty International has accused the Ethiopian Defense Forces of killing innocent people in Managesha Bahir Dar, Amhara region, without due process.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that more than 17 innocent people were shot dead in the areas of Abune Hara, Ledeta, and Saba Tamit in Bahir Dar city. The families of those killed were reportedly not allowed to bury their dead.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reported that four months ago, members of the national defense forces shot and killed more than 45 innocent people in Marawi city.
The United States and the European Union have called for an independent investigation into these killings, but the federal government of Ethiopia has maintained that the defense forces acted in self-defense and stated that the matter would not be investigated independently.
