Saturday November 16, 2024
Renewed drone attack has been intensified in the Amara region of Ethiopia over the past few months (Photo : SM/ file)
Two children and an elderly woman were killed in a drone attack, and another woman was wounded in the Shoa area of the Amhara region of Ethiopia.
The elderly woman who was wounded in the attack is reportedly in serious condition.
Ethiopian Media Service (EMS) on Thursday cited sources reporting that the children were eight and nine years old.
Fano Mintesnot, head of the Amhara Fano Popular Organization’s political division and public relations, confirmed the attack to Anchor Media, a U.S.-based Ethiopian outlet.
The attack occurred around 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
Sources indicated that no Fano forces, the armed group active in the Amhara region, were present in the area during the drone strike.
Reports from local sources suggest that the target was a shelter for internally displaced persons, including those evacuated after a recent landslide that claimed dozens of lives.
The Ethiopian government has not commented on the incident at the time of this writing.
Since last month, reports of intensified drone strikes have emerged from several parts of the Amhara region. Fano leaders, such as Asres Mare, told Anchor Media earlier this week that the government’s increased use of drone strikes reflects “frustration with battlefield losses.”
In early October, the Ethiopian government launched what it described as a “final operation” to eliminate Fano forces and reclaim areas under their control or influence. This campaign reportedly involved deploying an additional 40,000 troops to the region.
Fano leaders claim the operation has failed, with video footage shared on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook allegedly showing thousands of captured government troops. The Ethiopian Defense Force has not verified or denied these claims but instead stated that “Fano forces are surrendering.” Meanwhile, state-owned television has been airing videos purportedly showing Fano forces surrendering to the defense force in North Gondar and South Wollo. Fano forces, however, reject these claims, describing them as government propaganda.
Drone strikes have reportedly resulted in significant civilian casualties. Last week, as many as 50 civilians were killed in the Gojjam area when strikes targeted a school, a health center, and an open-air market.