October 15, 2024
Toronto – Multiple local sources on Monday reported that the Defense Force continued drone attacks and air strikes in selected locations in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.
According to sources, Gercheche, a location close to the regional capital Bahir Dar and Merawi, North Mecha, South Mecha and Achefer ( all of them in Gojjam) were among areas targeted in the latest round of strikes.
These areas saw an intense fighting between Fano Forces and government soldiers after the Abiy Ahmed Administration declared what it calls “final operation” about two weeks ago.
Credible sources with links to the region reported that the government deployed fighter helicopters in addition to drone strikes.
What is known so far is that schools and centers were targeted. The victims were mostly civilians including women and children but the exact number of casualties is unspecified by the sources. As well, farmers who were in their farming activity were among those killed.
The sources added that there were instances where the bomb from the drone did not explode due to the muddy situation in some areas.
As was the case since the start of the “military operation,” the government did not remark about the airstrike. But it has been sharing news updates on the Defense Forces social media page with claims that “it dealt with a blow to the extremist forces”
In a recent interview with a pro-government media outlet, Defense Chief of Staff Berhanu Jula stated that the government has intentions to end its military operation in the region.
He also painted an image that the defense force rarely uses drone attack and airstrikes – which seems to be contradictory to the reality on the ground as there have been recurring drone attacks and airstrikes in the Gojjam area for the past two or so weeks. From local sources, the victims are usually farmers and other civilians.
Meanwhile, Fano forces released multiples of video footage over the past few days purportedly showing hundreds of government forces captured from different locations. One of those captured was Col. Yared, a senior military commander who was in charge of the forces that were deployed to “eliminate” the Fano forces Sekela area of Gojjam. As many as 40 other government soldiers were captured from that particular battle, according to a statement from Fano Asres Mare, who is head of the political division of Fano forces in Gojjam.
