 stated on Sunday that it had conducted a series of significant military operations in...Read more.){kind=link}
By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, — The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) stated on Sunday that it had conducted a series of significant military operations in areas affected by conflict within the Amhara and Oromia regions. The ENDF described the targets as “extremist groups” it accuses of disrupting peace and hindering national reconciliation efforts.
According to an official ENDF statement, these operations took place around the time of Ethiopian Easter. The military reported that these actions led to the capture of numerous fighters, the deaths of others, and the confiscation of weapon stockpiles.
In Kasima, within the Baso and Werena districts of the North Shewa Zone in the Amhara region, the army announced the capture of four individuals identified as leaders and over 50 fighters. Additionally, 30 wounded combatants were reportedly taken into custody and provided with medical care. The ENDF stated that it confiscated weapons including 3 Bren guns, 5 sniper rifles, and other military-grade arms. “The army is continuing its offensive and pursuing the remaining areas where the group is strongly present,” the ENDF’s statement conveyed.
In the Dera District, the ENDF reported a successful operation targeting what it described as an insurgent training camp in Homo Bonaya, Tuti Kebele. Colonel Gadisa Diro, the operation’s commander, stated that his forces inflicted “significant human and material losses” on the group.
In Gojjam, another reported confrontation resulted in the deaths of over 300 fighters, including individuals identified as part of the group’s command structure, locally referred to as “Menberu.”
In western Oromia, the ENDF’s Western Command carried out what it termed a “targeted operation” in the Konancho and Baqla kebeles of the Jardega Jarte Woreda, Horogudru Wollega Zone. This operation reportedly led to the deaths of fighters linked to the group known as Shene, which some analysts also refer to as a splinter faction of the OLA. However, the identity and internal divisions of this group remain a subject of differing views.
This recent increase in military operations contrasts with the government’s repeated calls for dialogue and peace. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has publicly advocated for peaceful resolutions to the conflicts in Amhara and Oromia, asserting that “lasting peace can only come through conversation, not confrontation.”
A retired political analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity, observed, “Despite repeated appeals, many armed groups, including parts of the Fano militia, have not changed their approach. These groups have become more assertive and militarily active in recent years. While the Prime Minister has indicated openness to dialogue, some regional voices are expressing less confidence in the impartiality of the federal government.” However, there are also strong voices that the Prime Minister’s Rhetoric about peace is just lip-service. They point out that the Prime Minister’s condition for peace is for the armed groups to lay down arms and “struggle peacefully.” Criticism comes from the opposition quarter. Rights to organize events like peaceful protests are restricted. In November 2024, several key opposition figures were arrested over attempts to organize an anti-war peaceful protest in the capital Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, led by Professor Mesfin Araya, has encountered logistical and political challenges in its efforts to foster “an inclusive national dialogue.”
In April 2025, Professor Mesfin announced the conclusion of the agenda collection process in the Amhara region, noting that communities had presented a wide array of concerns and proposals. He initially stated that an armed faction—widely understood to be part of Fano—had submitted its own agenda for the dialogue. However, he later painted a different picture. He said the submission did not represent the Fano group itself; it is from a different armed group. He declined to disclose the identity of the group.
“We are speaking with those who want peace,” Professor Mesfin told reporters in March. “If an armed group chooses war over words, that is their path—but the door remains open.”
The retired political analyst suggested that this miscommunication might reflect a wider gap between the formal political dialogue process and the realities experienced on the ground—particularly in the Amhara region, where there appear to be growing signs of public skepticism towards such peace initiatives, despite a widespread belief in their importance for achieving lasting peace.
The future of the Amhara region remains deeply uncertain. Once a key part of Ethiopia’s federal structure, the region is now facing increased military activity, deepening political divides, and mounting humanitarian crisis. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 1.7 million people have been displaced in the Amhara region since the conflict intensified in mid-2023. Furthermore, it is estimated that more than 4 million people in the region require humanitarian assistance, with food insecurity being particularly severe in conflict-affected areas such as Gojjam, North Wollo, and North Shewa. Access to aid remains constrained due to insecurity and administrative hurdles, further worsening the crisis.
Analysts caution that without a genuine political solution that involves all relevant parties—including disarmed militia leaders, local elders, and civil society organizations—military actions alone may not lead to lasting peace.
“Amhara needs justice, inclusion, and security—not just military force and arrests,” stated a political analyst based in Bahir Dar who requested.
Edited by Dimetros Birku
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