Residents of Bahir Dar, the capital city of the Amhara region, have reported to the BBC a fierce exchange of fire between government forces and Fano fighters.

Four residents, who spoke about the conflict that began at 06:00 AM on Thursday, March, 2024, in three of the city’s districts, reported hearing the sounds of heavy weaponry.

The regional government’s statement on the situation in Bahir Dar mentioned that the national defense force and the region’s security forces have jointly entered into combat against a “destructive group conducting house-to-house searches and cleansing operations.”

Residents, who asked to remain anonymous for their safety, told the BBC that the fighting occurred in residential areas known as Kebele 14 Abune Hara and Liddeta, as well as in a camp referred to as Abay Mado in Kebele 11 and Kebele 13 near Beta Christian church or Weramit area.

One city resident described the onset of the conflict: “…the fighting started around 06:20 AM. It sounded like close-range clashes with the use of Kalashnikovs and continued approximately until :740 AM. Subsequently, the sounds of heavy, larger weapons could be heard.”

Another resident noted that in the area known as Abay Mado, there had been intense changes starting three days prior, with ongoing clashes throughout the night between the military and Fano fighters in an area called Air Health camp.

Regarding today’s conflict, residents have clarified that it lasted for about an hour in the residential areas, with calm returning around 3:00 PM, followed by sporadic sounds of gunfire.

One government worker who heard rumors of a potential conflict the night before, on Thursday, February 28, 2024, around midnight, shared their experience of hearing gunfire around 06:00 AM.

A resident within the first affected Kebele mentioned, “The clash involved the use of heavy weaponry.”

Although the fighting took place in residential areas, residents have stated that they are unaware of any civilian casualties so far. After the sound of heavy gunfire, they noted, “There was no movement in the city.”

One described the morning’s situation: “Children were supposed to go to school. We had prepared their meals [to take to school]. However, when the conflict started around 06:00 AM…we had to keep them home. We also didn’t go to work.”

Regarding the “fighters” who were not specifically identified as Fano, it was observed that their departure from the area seemed to have triggered the conflict, with one resident saying, “It seems to be the case.”

Another resident commented on the city’s eerie silence, saying, “We can’t leave our homes, so we don’t know what’s happening outside,” indicating a complete halt in activity.

“There is no form of transportation. Shops and hotels are all closed. The only people seen are those standing at the gates of their residential compounds,” another added.

One resident, speaking as a father, expressed his anxiety to the BBC, saying there is a fear of “innocent slaughter” being silenced.

BBC has reported that Ethiopian Airlines has canceled flights from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar and vice versa.

For today, Thursday, the cancellation of six scheduled flights has been confirmed, with the exact start time of the disruption remaining unknown.

Today’s statement by the Amhara region government highlighted the combat operations around Bahir Dar against “invading forces,” emphasizing efforts to regain control.

The conflict between the government forces and Fano fighters in Bahir Dar is not new. Previous clashes have seen Fano fighters entering various cities of the region, with the battles in and around Bahir Dar being notable.

Amnesty International has confirmed in its investigation that government forces have killed civilians outside the law in the city at various times.

Reflecting on past violence, a city resident said, “We live in fear that what happened before, the killing of innocents, could happen again; that’s what scares us.”

“…People are afraid because [government forces] say, ‘You are hiding Fano; you are the ones making this happen.’ It seems everything is calm, indicating a fear that the previous violence will be repeated,” they added.

Another resident expressed their concern, saying, “The government forces’ actions in other areas, accusing us of supporting Fano, also pose a threat to us.”

Since last week’s announcement of the clash between government forces and Fano fighters in the Amhara region, the situation has been known.

Particularly, residents have reported to the BBC about “heavy fighting” in the Gojjam and Shewa areas.

Additionally, the closure of the road from Debre Berhan to Dessie since Saturday, February 24, 2024, for an indefinite period has been announced by the Central Shewa Command Post.

Following last year’s decision to reinforce the region’s special forces and suppress fighters, Fano fighters’ engagement with security forces in various parts of the Amhara region is recalled.

The regional administration, stating the situation has exceeded its capacity, has requested federal government intervention, leading to federal military deployment in the region.

Residents have reported regular disruptions in many areas of the region due to military operations over the past six months.

Furthermore, conflicts and atrocities between the military and Fano forces have led to the death of numerous civilians and significant property damage.