Ethiopian Media Services Cites Rebel Sources Reporting Daylong Offensives, While Federal Officials Remain Silent on Latest Amhara Region Clashes
By Borkena Desk
TORONTO, Canada — Fano forces on Friday claimed that they have killed dozens of government forces in Azila, Dahna District of Waghumra zone of the Amhara region. The region borders the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Media Services (EMS) cited Fano sources to report that 71 government forces have surrendered.
According to the sources, the Fano forces launched the military offensive on government forces positions in Azila, starting 7:30 a.m. local time. It lasted until the evening.
EMS broadcast pictures of those who are said to have surrendered. No detail was provided if there were casualties on the Fano forces. The source said Fano commanders will appear to share details relating to the operation in Azila.
The Ethiopian Defense Force has not remarked about it at the time of this writing.
The Federal government has been claiming for nearly three years that the Ethiopian Defense Force has weakened the Fano forces to the point that “they cannot stand their ground and fight against the Defense Force.”
However, recurring battles between the rebels and the government forces have been reported almost in all parts of the Amhara Region. In fact, they have presence in parts of the Oromia region of Ethiopia as well. There have been recurring skirmishes and ambushes involving Fano forces in Wollega.
Recently, Fano forces announced that they are working on a military coalition with other armed forces including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The Eritrean government is said to be part of the coalition, which is known as Tsemdo. However, its officials have been denying saying that the Eritrean government does not interfere in the internal affairs of another country.
The Federal government has been making accusations against Tsedo, characterizing them as “proxy forces on a mission to accomplish the aspiration of the enemies of Ethiopia.”
Several Ethiopian politicians in the opposition quarter tend to support the armed coalition for they see it as a viable option to rescue Ethiopia from the “existential threat” it is facing under the leadership of Abiy Ahmed. Lidetu Ayalew, a prominent opposition figure who is currently living in the United States after the Ethiopian government prohibited him from returning to Ethiopia, sees the coalition as a good opportunity for Ethiopia. However, there are also those who tend to be doubtful about the viability of the coalition due to deep-rooted political differences of the forces that form the coalition.
Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) which is mostly operating in the Oromia region of Ethiopia is said to be part of the coalition.
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