The United Nations Human Rights Office announced today, Tuesday, that the fighting in the Amhara region between the Ethiopian army and militants has resulted in the deaths of at least 183 people, marking the highest death toll reported by an independent source so far in the ongoing conflict that has persisted for a month. The office stated in a press release that over a thousand people have been arrested across the country, many of whom are young individuals from the Amhara ethnic group, under the state of emergency declared by the government in response to the violence. The Ethiopian government spokesperson has not yet responded to a request for comment.
The conflict has escalated due to tensions in the Amhara region, the second most populous region in Ethiopia, regarding the government's attempts to undermine the region's security. The government denies these allegations. Earlier this month, government forces regained control of key towns and cities across the region after initially being expelled by militia fighters, but fighting continues.
The statement said, "As federal forces confirm their redeployment in certain towns and the Fano militia retreats to rural areas, we call on all parties to cease killings, violations, and other abuses." Two doctors, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, reported that at least four people were killed in new violence that broke out in the town of Debre Tabor on Sunday. One of them stated that the clashes erupted about a week after the Ethiopian army entered the town. The other doctor mentioned that three civilians and four police officers died while fighting on behalf of the Ethiopian army.
