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In a tragic escalation of violence, over 50 individuals lost their lives in Merawi, a town within the newly established North Gojam zone of the Amhara region, following what appears to have been a government retaliation against civilians. This incident occurred on January 20, 2016, amidst a confrontation between the Defense Forces and Fano militants.
Local sources informed the BBC that the deadly episode was preceded by an intense clash that started at midnight, escalating into a large-scale assault on the civilian population. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission’s Bahir Dar Office has also acknowledged receiving reports of the violence and is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the events.
Eyewitness accounts depict a harrowing scene of soldiers conducting door-to-door raids and targeting individuals in the streets, with the violence spanning from the early hours until late evening. A particularly distressing report came from a resident whose brother, a father of four, was forcibly taken from his home and executed.
Hospital sources corroborate the grim toll, with one medical professional reporting that 85 individuals were confirmed dead in the city on that day alone. Among the victims were children, pregnant women, and the elderly, indicating no discrimination in the violent crackdown. The aftermath saw bodies left unclaimed in the streets, with residents estimating the death count could exceed 100 based on the number of funerals held and bodies observed.
In the wake of the attack, the community reeled from the loss, with reports of personal and public property damage, including the desecration of two churches and the destruction of vehicles. The attack’s timing, just before the local celebration of Maryam King’s Day, added a layer of sorrow to the tragedy.
Despite the chaos, the regional and zonal administrations have yet to provide comments or explanations for the events, underscoring a significant communication gap in the crisis’s aftermath. This incident marks a continuation of the violence that has plagued the Amhara region, where clashes between government forces and Fano militants have resulted in numerous civilian casualties over the past year.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has previously highlighted the ongoing conflict within the Amhara region, stressing the dire consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire. This latest incident in Merawi underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and accountability for the actions taken against the civilian population.
