CNN – Explosion in Northwestern Ethiopia Kills 26 Amid Heavy Fighting
At least 26 people have been killed in an explosion in the town of Finote Selam in northwestern Ethiopia, as violent clashes continue between government forces and a local militia group. The blast, which occurred on Sunday, also left 50 people injured, according to Manaye Tenaw, CEO of the Finote Selam General Hospital. The number of casualties is still uncertain, as these figures only account for those treated at the hospital.
Tenaw stated that witnesses reported hearing a single explosion, but the cause remains unclear. Prior to the blast, the hospital had already treated over 160 individuals due to the ongoing fighting in the Amhara region. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has expressed deep concern about the heavy conflict between the government forces and the Fano militia, which began on August 3 following months of tension and sporadic clashes.
The Ethiopian government declared a six-month state of emergency in the Amhara region on August 4 in response to the escalating violence. The Fano militia, once allies in the fight against Tigrayan forces, have resisted the government’s attempts to disband regional forces, leading to the deteriorating relationship.
The EHRC reported widespread fighting and the use of heavy artillery resulting in civilian deaths and injuries across the Amhara region. The cities of Debre Birhan, Finote Selam, and Burie were particularly affected, with significant damage to residential areas and public spaces. The commission also noted the arrests of ethnic Amhara civilians in the capital city, Addis Ababa.
While residents of Gondar and Bahir Dar have reported a return to relative calm, the EHRC warned that fighting still persists in other parts of the region. The United Nations called on all sides to respect human rights and deescalate the situation, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful resolution.
International governments, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, have expressed concern about civilian casualties and urged all parties to protect civilians and work together to address the complex issues.
CNN has reached out to the federal government, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, and the Amhara regional government for comments on the situation. In March, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken officially declared that armed forces involved in the conflict in northern Ethiopia had committed war crimes. The State Department’s Human Rights Report for 2022 confirmed the atrocities committed by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Eritrean Defense Forces, Tigray People’s Liberation Front forces, and Amhara forces.
The situation in northwestern Ethiopia remains highly volatile, and the international community is closely monitoring the developments in hopes of achieving a peaceful resolution.