Clashes between Fano militiamen and the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) continued over the weekend. The conflict has quickly become Ethiopia's most serious security crisis since a two-year civil war in Tigray region, which neighbours Amhara, ended in November. Temesgen Tiruneh, director general of Ethiopia's national intelligence service who was appointed to oversee enforcement of the state of emergency, acknowledged that militia fighters had taken some towns and districts. Fano is a part-time militia that draws volunteers from the local population and was an ally of the ENDF during the Tigray war. Their relationship later deteriorated, in part over recent efforts by federal authorities to weaken regional paramilitary groups.

Source: Ethiopian News August 07, 2023 14:59 UTC