Renewed fighting between armed militants also known as Fano forces in Ethiopia’s Amhara region and the national army has continued for five consecutive days, with scores of fighters killed and wounded.
The fighting restarted when Fano forces launched what it called “operation unity” targeting about 35 Ethiopian Defense Force positions, among them military camps in the region.
According to information reaching APA on Tuesday, the Fano forces took control of dozens of districts while main roads linking Bahir Dar – capital of the Amhara region – and Gondar, second largest town in the region, are closed.
The simultaneous coordinated offensive operation by rebel forces under the command of leaders in the four major areas of the Amhara region (Gondar, Gojjam, Shoa and Wollo) is seen as a landmark achievement in the move to unite all Fano fighters under a single command.
Fano spokesperson Yohannes Nigusu said 602 federal soldiers were killed in the fighting and 430 wounded, while 98 others had been captured and weapons seized by the rebel fighters.
The Ethiopian army last weekend claimed it had killed over 300 Fano fighters in a two-day operation in northern Amhara region.
Government forces claimed that they had killed Fano leaders in the Antsokia Gemza area of the region. Commando forces were reportedly deployed in the area. The leader who was killed in the area is identified as Abraham Assefa Bekele who was serving as Public Relations Officer of the rebel forces in the area.
The commando forces are said to have launched the attack during the night.
Dozens of civilians have reportedly been killed and wounded during ongoing fighting.
Humanitarian organisations operating in the region have been reporting a serious humanitarian crisis in the region and calling for support in response to it.
MG/as/APA