In September 2024, the Fano militia started an offensive in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The offensive resulted in the capture of several key cities and strategic areas, including the city of Debark and the Ethiopian-Sudanese border town of Metemma. The offensive is part of the ongoing War in Amhara, a conflict that began in April 2023 between the Fano militia and the Ethiopian government.
| 2024 Amhara offensive | |||||||
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| Part of War in Amhara | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Fano |
 Oromo Liberation Army | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
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Timeline
editFano units in Gondar started attacking the B30 Highway in September[1] after a lull in August and launched an offensive to gain control over the C34 road, which links Amhara to neighboring Sudan. Fano carried out another eight attacks along the B30, this time claiming to briefly seize four villages, including two villages that were previously reportedly under Fano control.[1]
On 1 September 2024, Fano seized the strategic Ethiopia-Sudan border town of Metemma, cutting off crucial supply lines for fuel and food from Sudan. After intense fighting, ENDF troops were forced to retreat into Sudan and were disarmed by Sudanese authorities.[2]
On 17 September, Fano launched a large-scale offensive against Gondar, one of the largest cities in the Amhara region. The attack followed a rise in violent crimes, including robbery and kidnapping, which had been plaguing the city.[3] Footage claimed to have shown the ENDF using tanks to shoot at densely populated neighbourhoods in Gondar.[4] After heavy fighting, Fano claimed to have taken control of much of Gondar.[5][6][7][8] The clashes resulted in the deaths of at least nine people and injuries to more than 30 others.[7] Dozens of other people were confirmed killed during the fighting in the city at the end of September, and urban warfare in Gondar continued into October.[9]
Fano's forces also captured key portions of the B30 Highway, which connects Gondar to other strategic areas.
In the days following the capture of Gondar, Fano expanded its operations to nearby towns, including Azezo and Debark. By 21 September, Fano forces claimed to have captured Debark after fierce fighting with government-aligned forces.[10]
On 21 September, Fano militias captured the Rema Shewa road, located approximately 200 kilometres from Addis Ababa.[11] Militants also expanded attacks to the neighboring B31 road, the other major road linking Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar, carrying out 12 attacks along the B31.[1]
On 23 September, Fano militias claimed to have started an offensive onto North Shewa Zone.[12]
On 1 October 2024, the Ethiopian National Defence Force and Amhara regional government announced in a joint statement an intensification of security operations.[13] On 3 October, Fano commenced a travel ban on all major roads in the Amhara region. In a joint statement, the Fano groups from Gondar, Gojjam, Shewa, and Wollo urged the public to follow the vehicle movement ban, and has warned that those who violate the directive will face consequences.[14] As of 3 October 2024, heavy fighting is ongoing between Fano and government forces in multiple localities of the South Gondar Zone. Residents have reported airstrikes being employed in several districts of the zone, reportedly in both rural mountainous and urban civilian areas. Central Gondar Zone is also the scene of ongoing fighting.[15]
For several weeks the region has seen a significant influx of ENDF reinforcements.[16] The offensive has also seen the intensification of the air campaign against Fano insurgents by the Ethiopian Air Force. Air and drone strikes have been conducted on the Gondar and Gojjam zones of the Amhara region since the start of October, with helicopter gunships also being present in the operation.[17]
The Ethiopian government has so far been unable to defeat Fano militarily, though Fano has been unable to capitalize on this politically due to its highly decentralized nature.[18]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ "Sudan closes Ethiopia border after Fano militia seizes town". Sudan Tribune. September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- ^ "Gonder City authorities implicate security forces' involvement in surging crimes of kidnapping for ransom, murder; pledge to crack down". Addis Standard. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Amhara News (September 17, 2024). "Update 🚨: Footage showing ENDF tanks shooting at densely populated neighborhoods in Gondar as they lose control of the city". X.
- ^ Account (17 September 2024). "Most part of Gondar reportedly under Fano control after heavy fighting". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ Observer, Ethiopia (17 September 2024). "Intense fighting erupts in Gondar and surrounding areas". Ethiopia Observer. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Nine dead in renewed fighting in Ethiopia's Amhara region". Voice of America. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ "በጎንደር እና በአካባቢው ግጭቶች ሲካሄዱ መሰንበታቸውን ነዋሪዎች ተናገሩ". BBC News አማርኛ (in Amharic). 17 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ "Heavy weapons assault in Amhara's Central Gondar Zone claims 20 lives; fighting continues in South Gondar". Addis Standard. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Fano/Amhara forces have captured strategic town of Debat Gondar".
- ^ https://x.com/Amhara_News/status/1837535677975564473.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ https://x.com/Amhara_News/status/1838323215820816584.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "ENDF, Amhara admin vow to 'intensify operations' against armed groups and figures embedded within gov't". Addis Standard. 2024-10-02. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Amhara Fano Militias to Block all Roads in Amhara Today". News Addis. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Heavy weapons assault in Amhara's Central Gondar Zone claims 20 lives; fighting continues in South Gondar". Addis Standard. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "Ethiopia forces deploy against Amhara rebels".
- ^ https://newsaddis.com/ethiopian-air-force-intensifies-air-campaign-against-fano-militias/
- ^ Karr, Liam (26 September 2024). "Africa File, September 26, 2024: Fano Offensive in Ethiopia's Amhara; Egypt Arms Somalia; Rebel Drones in Mali; Burkina Thwarts Another Coup". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2024-10-06.