Ethiopian Government Claims Near-Complete Retake of Amhara Districts from Rebel Forces

Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopia’s Minister of Peace, Mohammed Endris, claimed that the federal government has regained control of nearly all districts previously held by armed groups in the country’s conflict-stricken Amhara region.

In an interview with state-owned Fana Television, Minister Mohammed stated that only two of the 265 woredas (districts) in the region remain outside government control.

“Two years ago, the situation was markedly different. Now, eight major cities in the region are peaceful, and only two woredas are not fully under government control,” he said.

According to the Minister, one of the two remaining districts is under partial government authority, while the other is largely outside federal control. He added that more than 80% of the region’s administrative infrastructure has resumed operations across over 4,000 kebeles (counties), allowing the delivery of basic public services.

The Minister also dismissed the influence of Fano commanders, suggesting they operate from “neighboring countries” and lack the capacity to exert meaningful control on the ground.

“They are operating traditionally and backwardly,” he said. “The political space is open for all who seek peaceful solutions, but armed groups must put down their weapons and engage in dialogue.”

However, claims by the armed Fano movement contradict the government’s narrative.

Fano forces—who have taken up arms claiming to reverse what they call existential threat against Amhara —assert that they maintain control over large parts of the Amhara region. While independent verification remains difficult due to ongoing conflict and limited access, multiple reports point to significant Fano presence in several zones of the region.

In the Southern Gondar Zone,  Fano reportedly holds key towns including Anbesame , Gasaye, Alem Ber, and Addis Zemen. They also claimed to have captured temporarily  Maksegnit, a strategic town just 20 km from Gondar city, disrupting the Gondar–Bahir Dar highway.

In Gojam Zones (West and East),  Fano has reportedly taken several towns intermittently, including Gonj Kolela, Bichena, Debre Work, and others across the zone.

In the North Wollo Zone,  The group is said to control parts of the critical Woldia–Dessie corridor. 

In North Shewa,  Fano have consistently reported their presence in the Tarma Ber area. Many other districts in the adjacent areas of Debre Berhan, also on the main road along the Addis Ababa Dessie line, have strong Fano forces presence. 

In Gondar City and environs,  Fano forces claimed to have launched an operation to disrupt a political event organized by the ruling party.  Yohannes Nigussu, Fano leader in Gondar, told Ethiopian Media Services that they set free 71 prisoners after they attacked a prison facility near the Gondar Airport. However, federal troops have since launched counter offensives to push Fano fighters out.

Border Areas and Key Highways: Fano fighters reportedly seized the border town of Metemma on the Ethiopia–Sudan border, cutting off crucial fuel and food supply lines. They also launched operations along the B30 and B31 highways—vital routes connecting Gondar, Bahir Dar, and Addis Ababa.

Fano leadership claims they control “over 80% of the Amhara region,” asserting that the federal government’s presence is largely limited to major towns and highways. These assertions remain difficult to confirm independently, given the fluid nature of the conflict.

 The escalating conflict has led to widespread humanitarian concerns. Over 3,600 schools have been forced to close. Over four million students in the region are out of school. Hundreds of thousands  have been displaced due to the ongoing clashes. Aid organizations have reported disruptions to essential services across several affected areas.

Edited by Dimetros Birku

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