Fano Forces Claim Retreat of Ethiopian Defense Force Division in North Wollo
Borkena Desk
(TORONTO, Canada) — Fano forces state that they forced the 65th division of the Ethiopian Defense Force to retreat from the Bugna district in Lasta, North Wollo, in the Amhara region.
Asres Mare, head of public relations for the Amhara Fano National Movement (AFNM), wrote on Facebook on Sunday that government forces suffered devastating losses.
The translation of the first paragraph of his writing reads: “The 14th Hailu Kebede Division, named after Hailu Kebede, Ethiopia’s first general, and the 19th Tefera Mamo Division, named after General Tefera Mamo, who is currently writing a living history in the Amhara struggle for survival, together with the Wagshem Brigade, have once again dealt a crushing defeat to the regime’s genocidal army in today’s joint battle.”
Twenty-six government soldiers were reportedly killed, and the remaining forces retreated to the Ayna area following the battle, he added.
Asres also cited the spokesperson of the Fano 303rd division regarding seized firearms.
He wrote: “In this battle engagement, the spokesperson of the 303rd Asaminew Corps reported that twenty-six (26) enemy forces were killed, and that one (1) Bren machine gun, one (1) sniper rifle, fifteen (15) black Kalashnikov rifles, 1,500 rounds of Kalashnikov ammunition, thirty-nine (39) military bags, and a number of personnel were captured.”
The battle took place on Sunday.
The Ethiopian Defense Force has not remarked on the claim. Federal authorities maintain tight access restrictions on access to information. Fano forces claim remain unverified independently.
The battle in Bugna followed previous claims of military victory by Fano forces in Dahna, in the Waghuma Zone of the Amhara region. On Saturday, another battle occurred in Sanka, also in the North Wollo zone, where government forces reportedly lost 14 soldiers.
Fighting between the federal government and Fano forces has continued for well over three years. In August 2023, the federal government declared a six-month state of emergency—later extended to over a year—with the stated objective of disarming Fano forces within a few weeks.
Human rights organizations have documented rights violations in the region linked to the ongoing war. Extrajudicial killings, drone strikes targeting civilians, and sexual violence are among the violations cited in reports by organizations such as Human Rights Watch and humanitarian agencies. Additionally, over five million students remain out of school due to the ongoing conflict.
Rebel forces reportedly maintain a presence in most parts of the Amhara region.
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