A suspected airstrike in the Amhara region of Ethiopia has claimed the lives of at least 24 individuals, according to a hospital official on Monday.
Additionally, a human rights organization, commissioned by the state, has detailed widespread civilian casualties as a result of ongoing conflict this month.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Committee stated that federal forces managed to expel elements of the Vanu militia from most major towns in Amhara in the late days of last week. However, clashes continue in other parts of the region.
The conflict emerged from accusations made by the Fano militia, alleging that the federal government was attempting to weaken Amhara’s defenses in favor of neighboring regions.
This situation marks the largest security crisis in Ethiopia since the two-year civil war in the Tigray region of the north, which concluded in November of last year.
The Ethiopian government denies Fano’s accusations. The militia, drawing volunteers from local populations, was an ally of the National Defense Force during the Tigray war.
Officials from the government, the military, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have not responded to requests for comments regarding the suspected airstrike or the Ethiopian Human Rights Committee’s statement.
The hospital official, who requested anonymity for security reasons, reported that the suspected airstrike hit the center of the town of Finote Selam on Sunday.
He further mentioned that four people died in the hospital, while another 22 lost their lives either at the scene or en route to the hospital. Currently, 55 people are receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the explosion.
