Fano rebels battle Ethiopia’s army for control of Amhara capital

Fano rebels

NAIROBI (Somaliguardian) – Fierce clashes erupted in the capital of Amhara regional capital Bahir Dar as Fano rebels battle Ethiopia’s army for the control of the strategic town, Addis Standard reported on Friday as Africa’s second most populous nation grapples with violence that has left millions of people displaced.

Residents said they heard heavy exchange of gunfire throughout the city on Thursday evening, adding that transportation companies and banks stopped operations as a result.

Flights from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar have also been delayed since the gunfight erupted.

Amhara regional authorities said Ethiopian Defense Forces (ENDF) and local security forces conducted operations to apprehend members of an “infiltrated extremist group” in residential areas of Bahir Dar.

“At this time, Bahir Dar city and surroundings have been cleared of this extremist group,” they added.

Fano rebels, a heavily-armed Amhara group whose fighters helped the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to launch an offensive on Tigray region in late 2020, have not yet commented on the clashes. Casualties have not been immediately known.

Clashes have renewed in the West and North Gojjam, North Shewa, and North Wollo zones. Gun battles have also occurred in Gondar, Merawi, Dega Damot, Shewa Robit and Lalibela town – all in the northern Amhara region, according to Addis Standard.

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