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Summary of recent recorded drone and air strikes in Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Updated November 24, 2024
Overview
The Amhara Association of America (AAA) has documented human rights violations and conflict developments in the context of the war in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region.1 Throughout the conflict the Oromo Prosperity Party regime’s armed forces, primarily the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has carried out drone and air strikes which have resulted in disproportionate civilian casualties.
- For the period between September 25th and November 23rd, 2024 (60 day period), over 72 drone and airstrikes were reported across 52 incidents.
- The incidents were reported across 38 woreda administrations in 10 zonal administrations of Amhara Region. Zones in which incidents were recorded include West Gonder, Central Gonder, South Gonder, North Gojjam, Awi, West Gojjam, East Gojjam, North Shewa, North Wollo and South Wollo Zones.
- Casualties were confirmed in 31 incidents. Though the majority of recorded incidents involved deadly attacks, in some instances sightings were attributed to aerial surveillance however, attacks have often been reported following periods of surveillance. In some incidents, attacks resulted in property losses.
- Over the reporting period, 434 casualties were recorded including 321 persons killed and 113 injured with the majority being civilians. Among the victims were young children, women, and elderly persons.
- The following table summarizes drone and airstrikes recorded for the period between September 25th and November 16th, 2024. Read
- Drone strikes have been previously recorded for the 12 month period since the announcement of the state of emergency in Amhara Region on August 4, 2023.
- Between October 16, 2023 and May 12, 2024, AAA documented 53 confirmed deadly drone strikes over 35 distinct incidents which resulted in 551 civilian casualties including 433 killed and 118 injured. These strikes were found to frequently target civilian gatherings at marketplaces, clinics, ambulances, and schools. Read
- The recent re-intensification of drone strikes has been justified by regime military and political leaders claiming to target Fano combatants.
- In summary, the total number of recorded drone and airstrikes for the period from August 4th, 2023 to November 23rd, 2024 is 125 which resulted in 985 civilian casualties including 754 killed and 231 injured.
Details of recent recorded drone and airstrikes are provided below by reporting time period (weekly basis) and administrative zone.
Week of November 18th to 24th, 2024 (report not yet published)
South Wollo Zone
- November 18th, a drone strike in Waro-Shiwot Kebele (Amhara-Sayint Woreda) destroyed a residential home.
- November 21st, repeated drone strikes in Chingua and Doshit Kebeles (Mekdela Woreda) caused damage to residential homes and public schools.
- November 22nd, a drone strike targeted Kebeles 018 and 028 (Mekdela Woreda) targeting farmland, shops and other private property.
North Shewa Zone
- November 21st, a drone strike on Asagirt town (Asagirt Woreda) killed livestock.
West Gonder Zone
- November 23rd, drone surveillance was conducted across West Armachiho, Metemma and Qwara Woredas.
Week of November 11th to 17th, 2024 (report here)
North Wollo Zone
- November 12th, a drone strike targeted the Haji area (Habru Woreda) resulting in destruction to livestock, crops and other property.
South Gonder Zone
- November 13th, two drone strikes targeted Zagoch Secondary School (Lay-Gayint Woreda) killing 10 including a mother of four.
- November 13th, a drone strike targeted Estie Andabet School (Estie Andabet Woreda) causing destruction to the school.
- November 13th, a drone strike targeted Ambo-Meda town (Ibnat Woreda). • November 14th, a drone strike took place in Guna-Begemidir Woreda but details are under investigation.