The fresh unrest in Africa's second most populous country comes nine months after the end of a devastating two-year war in the neighboring region of Tigray, which also drew in fighters from Amhara. Tensions have been rising since April when the federal government announced it was dismantling regional forces across Ethiopia, triggering protests by Amhara nationalists who said the move would weaken their region. Local fighters from Amhara's Fano militia have taken control of three towns in the region, residents told AFP. "People are indoors in their homes," he said, with Fano fighters blocking routes in and out of the city. An Amhara resident who fled the town of Kobo on Saturday said government security forces had "severely restricted" the movement of people.

Source: Ethiopian News August 05, 2023 20:11 UTC