In the early hours of November 6, 2024, a deadly drone attack struck the South Achefer district in North Gojjam, Amhara region, Ethiopia, killing at least 50 people, including pregnant women and children. The incident, described by witnesses as one of the deadliest in recent memory, unfolded in the small town of Arge (Zebst), about 40 kilometers from the district capital, Durbete.
According to residents and eyewitnesses, three drone strikes hit the town in rapid succession, targeting densely populated areas including the market, primary school, and a health center. The strikes occurred around 1:10 a.m., catching most people off guard as they were resting or engaged in early morning routines. The impact of the blasts was catastrophic, leveling homes, destroying buildings, and leaving families and community members devastated.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) confirmed it had received reports of the attack and was actively gathering information to understand the extent of the incident. Residents expressed horror and disbelief, sharing that children, mothers, and elders were among the deceased. The attack shattered daily life, targeting vulnerable people in their own neighborhoods, leading one resident to question, “Why was this inflicted on us?”
A Community in Grief
Eyewitnesses reported the chaotic and tragic scenes they encountered as they ventured out to help survivors and locate loved ones. The school gymnasium, where 13 children had been playing netball, became one of the attack’s most devastating sites, with no survivors. At the local health center, mothers receiving treatment and others in labor lost their lives in the blast. A health professional who was working at the center described the maternity wing as being “completely destroyed,” resulting in the deaths of five pregnant women, two nurses, and severe injuries to other healthcare staff. The professional added that three women miscarried from the shock of the incident.
Many families were left grieving multiple members lost in the attack. One resident, who had seven family members killed, recalled the sadness sweeping the town: “Not a single home has been left untouched by grief.” In one tragic case, a family of five—a pregnant mother, her husband, and their three children—were killed together while sharing breakfast near the market. A neighbor recounted how the mother “passed away without ever seeing her baby’s face.”
Mass Burials and Unimaginable Losses
Due to continuous drone surveillance and fears of further attacks, residents were forced to conduct mass burials. Bodies were severely disfigured, making identification nearly impossible in some cases, and families mourned as they buried multiple people together in single graves. Up to 15 individuals were interred in some graves, with funeral services extending late into the night. “There was no justice in those burials,” said one resident, who described placing unrecognizable bodies onto carts to transport them for burial.
Footage and images of the destruction have surfaced on social media, although the BBC has not independently verified their authenticity. Survivors reported counting 43 dead on the day of the attack, with additional bodies discovered later, and at least 64 injured. Health workers are now caring for 21 of the critically injured, many of whom they fear will not survive.
An Attack Without Explanation
The strikes left residents asking, “Why us?” and “Who would do this?” Community members shared that the area is under government control, and despite previous drone attacks, there is no known presence of the Fano militia—a local armed group—in their town. “We hear that they target places with Fano activity, but we don’t have Fano here,” said one resident, adding, “There’s no reason for this, but we are always under threat.” Another resident confirmed, “Fano is not active in our area. We just hear about it but don’t see them here.”
Many residents suspect that the strike was an indiscriminate attack against civilians. The entire community has been thrown into fear and confusion, with many people leaving their homes, while others are preparing to flee, fearing future attacks.
A Trauma Imprinted on the Children
The psychological impact on the community, particularly on children, has been profound. Parents reported that children are suffering from sleeplessness and anxiety, often startled by sudden noises. Some children have been taken to healthcare facilities for treatment, while others are spending long hours in prayer. A father of four described how his children react in terror to every loud noise, saying, “They think every sound is another attack.”
A resident stated that children are waking up from nightmares, crying out in fear, and refusing to leave their homes. He added, “We thought it would have been better to die, like those who have gone. How do we cope with this pain, knowing that we have no choice but to continue?”
A Town Deserted by Its Own People
The attack has emptied the once-bustling community, leaving behind only grief and the ruins of a close-knit town. “We are living in a village of fear now,” said one resident, explaining that people have started leaving for safer areas. “Our town used to be full of life, but now it’s become a ghost town. Even the market day is silent.” Another resident reflected, “It feels like there is no longer humanity here.”
Local officials have yet to respond to residents’ pleas for answers or safety assurances. The BBC’s efforts to contact regional and zone administrators have also been unsuccessful.
Ongoing Turmoil in North Gojjam
This recent attack is the latest in a series of drone strikes that have plagued North Gojjam, reportedly linked to the ongoing conflict between government forces and Fano militants in the Amhara region. Although residents have expressed that Fano militants are not active in their area, the strikes have been relentless, with previous reports indicating similar attacks that killed civilians and damaged homes.
Residents shared that the first drone attack in October 2017 left two people dead and damaged several homes, and the frequency of such incidents has only intensified since. “Each day we live in fear of what may come next,” said one community member. “How many times must we suffer for a war that is not ours?”
The tragic toll of this latest drone strike, with the loss of innocent lives and the ongoing threat to the community, leaves residents fearing for their future. As people mourn, many are calling for accountability and a resolution to the violence that continues to tear their community apart.
[…] Devastating Drone Attack in North Gojjam Leaves Dozens Dead, Including Women and Children […]