Ethiopia's Amhara Region: A Week of Conflict, Controversy, and Civilian Suffering
By AAA-admin
Published 40 minutes ago | 3 min read
Disclaimer: AAA, a U.S.-based NGO, is dedicated to documenting human rights violations amidst conflict, violence, and political repression. We strive to provide policymakers, journalists, researchers, and the public with accurate, timely information about developments in Ethiopia. AAA remains politically neutral, neither endorsing nor affiliating with any political parties or organizations in the U.S. or Ethiopia.
Updated November 17th, 2025
The Fighting Persists: A Week of Escalation in Amhara
The week of November 10th to 16th, 2025, witnessed a continuation of the bitter conflict between the Amhara Fano self-defense force (Fano) and the joint forces of the Prosperity Party regime across the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. This week's violence wasn't confined to a single area; it spread across a staggering 41 woreda/city administrations within 12 zonal administrations in Amhara. These zones included North Wollo, South Wollo, Oromo, North Shewa, East Gojjam, West Gojjam, Awi, North Gojjam, South Gonder, Central Gonder, West Gonder, and North Gonder. The conflict even spilled over into the East Arsi and North Shewa Zones of the neighboring Oromia Region, highlighting the widening reach of this crisis.
Civilians Bear the Brunt: A Grim Toll
Tragically, civilians continue to bear the brunt of this conflict. Civilian casualties were reported in 11 woreda/city administrations across 8 zonal administrations in Amhara. These included Alamata, Borena, Ambassel, Kemissie, Gozamin, Sekela, Guagusa-Shikudad, Libo-Kemkem, Wegera, Adagn-Hager-Chaqo, and Metemma Woredas, spanning zones like North Wollo, South Wollo, East Gojjam, West Gojjam, Awi, South Gonder, Central Gonder, and West Gonder. A particularly alarming incident involved a drone attack in Sekela Woreda of West Gojjam Zone, resulting in the death of a civilian. Civilian casualties were also reported in East Arsi Zone of Oromia Region, where unidentified militants targeted followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), raising concerns about potential religious motivations behind some attacks.
Arrests, Abductions, and a Controversial Statement
The week saw a wave of arrests in Alamata, Kemissie, and Berehet Woredas of North Wollo, Oromo, and North Shewa Zones in Amhara Region. In Alamata city, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces detained a hospital manager, further exacerbating tensions. Additionally, regime forces were implicated in abductions in Enemay Woreda of East Gojjam Zone, adding to the climate of fear and insecurity.
And this is the part most people miss... This week, the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia issued a statement that sparked widespread condemnation. The council claimed that recent attacks in East Arsi Zone were not motivated by religious or ethnic identity. This assertion, coming amidst reports of targeted attacks on EOTC followers, has ignited fierce debate and accusations of downplaying the role of religious and ethnic tensions in the conflict.
Beyond the Battlefield: A Troubling Policy Shift
The conflict's impact extends beyond the battlefield. In Addis Ababa, over 1,500 technical and vocational college teachers were suspended from their positions under a new policy aimed at diversifying the administration based on identity. This move has been met with accusations of targeted expulsions of ethnic Amhara workers, further fueling tensions and raising concerns about ethnic discrimination in the education sector.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The situation in Amhara Region remains volatile, with no end to the conflict in sight. The targeting of civilians, the rise of religious and ethnic tensions, and the implementation of potentially discriminatory policies paint a grim picture. But here's where it gets controversial... Is the Inter-Religious Council's statement an attempt to promote unity or a dangerous denial of the role of identity in the conflict? Are the teacher suspensions a legitimate effort at diversification or a thinly veiled act of ethnic cleansing? These are questions that demand honest and open discussion. We encourage our readers to share their thoughts and perspectives in the comments below.
