50 militants killed as security forces, militia clash in Ethiopia’s restive Amhara region

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - At least 50 militants were killed as the government security forces and Amhara militia clashed in the restive Amhara region in northern Ethiopia, the country’s army said on Monday.

The clashes, primarily concentrated in the historic city of Gondar, have ignited concerns about the region's stability, which is located in the northern part of Ethiopia, approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) north of the nation's capital Addis Ababa.

In a statement on Facebook, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) confirmed the violent clashes that mostly happened on Sunday, claiming that security forces successfully repelled the FANO militia attacks, resulting in the deaths of more than 50 militants.

FANO (Amhara National Movement), a militia group operating in the Amhara region and comprising members of the Amhara ethnic group, has gained attention for its political and armed activities.

The Amhara militia, in a statement released on its social media channels, on Monday claimed that it had captured dozens of soldiers.

Clashes in the region started in April when the federal government issued an integration order aimed at merging security forces from Ethiopia's 11 regions into the federal forces.

Local communities resisted the move, expressing fears of losing autonomy and voicing distrust towards outsiders handling security matters in their region.