MINILIK SALSAWI

 A suspected air strike at the weekend in Ethiopia's Amhara region killed at least 26 people, a hospital official said on Monday, as a state-appointed rights group detailed widespread killings of civilians since fighting broke out this month. Federal forces managed late last week to push Fano militiamen out of most major towns in Amhara, but clashes continue in other parts of the region, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said in a statement.   The fighting, which has been fuelled by Fano accusations that the federal government is trying to weaken Amhara's defences, is Ethiopia's biggest security crisis since a two-year civil war in the northern Tigray region ended last November. Ethiopia's government denies the allegations by Fano, an informal militia that backed federal forces during the Tigray war. Spokespeople for the government, the military and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed did not respond to requests for comment on Monday about the suspected ...

Mobile internet access was down in parts of Ethiopia's Amhara region and flights to two cities were cancelled on Thursday, following days of clashes between the federal military and local militiamen. A simmering feud between the Fano militia and federal authorities, who were allies during the two-year civil war in the neighbouring Tigray region that ended last November, has burst into the open this week. The fighting was prompted by an operation by the military to push Fano fighters out of certain areas, according to a diplomatic source. Ethiopia's deputy prime minister, Demeke Mekonnen, called the situation "concerning" on Wednesday. Two residents of Amhara's capital, Bahir Dar, and three in Gondar, its second-biggest city, said mobile internet services were unavailable on Thursday. They declined to be named for security reasons. Authorities in Ethiopia have repeatedly cut internet services over the past few years during bouts of conflict and civil u...

The war officially is started in the cities of Amhara region All roads in bahrdar debremarkos debrebirhan and other cities Gondar city have been ordered to be closed. At this time, the defense vehicle captured in Gondar city and the security guard army of the system are in this form of the Amara Fano in the Gondar Tedros Brigade army. A resident of the town of Kobo in northern Amhara said there were clashes between Fano fighters and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) in the Tekulesh area, a 40-minute drive outside Kobo, between 1am and 9am on Tuesday. The work of public and private organizations in Debremarkos has been suspended. Entrance and exit doors are closed. Ethiopia's military has clashed with fighters from a militia in the Amhara region, residents said on Wednesday, in a sharp escalation of a simmering feud between the two former allies. The Fano militia backed federal troops in a two-year civil war in the neighbouring Tigray region that ended last ...

Dozens of drivers have been abducted in Ethiopia’s Oromia region by armed gunmen, multiple media reports indicate. It is known that the authorities of the Oromia region are in the hands of the drivers kidnapped in Alidoro in the Oromia region and they have a share in the millions of dollars obtained from the hostages. It has been repeatedly said that Oromia officials are behind the kidnappings carried out by the armed force called OLF Shene and the millions of dollars stolen. It has been pointed out that there is a risk that the families of businessmen who have millions of money in the commercial bank will not be kidnapped by suggestions. The drivers, who are estimated to number between 30 to 50, were reportedly abducted last week in Gerbe-Guracha area of North Shoa zone of Oromia region by fighters suspected to be affiliated to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebel group.   The abducted drivers’ families are reportedly being asked to pay ransom money by the abductors ...

Latest Update : Harun Media is reporting casualties, including women, as a result of security forces firing "directly" at protesters at the Grand Anuwar Mosque in Addis Abeba .    Muslims are protesting the demolishing of at least 19 Mosques by Oromia regional state in the newly established Shaggar city, formerly the Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne .   The report also mentions unknown numbers of fatalities in Addis Abeba. The media also posted graphic pictures of bloodied worshipers. There was not a single voice of protest when the firing started. When they started praying and making dua, the Republican Guard began to shoot at the worshipers. Many were shot.   Other protests are also happening by Muslims across various cities in Oromia including in Shashemene and Jimma cities. The protests are happening despite a statement yesterday by the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council calling on Ethiopian Muslims to not protest today after Friday prayer...

President Isaias accused the Washington group of working for his country to fall into mutual hatred with Ethiopia   Eritrean President Isaias Afeworki filed charges against what he called the "Washington DC group". The President made the announcement on the 32nd anniversary of "Independence Day".     Today is Wednesday, May 16, 2015. At the annual "Independence Day" held at Asmara Stadium and broadcast live on television, President Isaias Afeworki said, "This year's Eritrean Independence Day will be commemorated when the struggle for independence and the victory achieved, as well as the results of the latter struggle, are highlighted." He said.   This year's Eritrean Independence Day is celebrated when the struggle for independence and the victory achieved, as well as the results of the latter struggle, are highlighted.   The president said that the policy of the United States administration against Eritrea and other countries has ...

Civilians killed in ongoing PM Abiy Govt military Operation in Amhara region. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it is “closely monitoring” the ongoing “law enforcement campaign” in some areas of the Amhara regional state and its implications and effects on human rights. The rights commission also confirmed the presence of militarized conflict in parts of North Gonder, North Wollo and North Shewa zones of the regional state, and said that there are exchanges of fire and the presence of attacks supported by heavy weapons involving the federal the defense forces and local armed groups in the Shoa Robit area of North Shewa zone, in Armania, Antsoqia, Gemza and Majete localities. “As a result, it has been confirmed that there have been deaths, physical and property damage to civilians, and that the road from Desse to Addis Abeba has been closed at various times,” EHRC said. Furthermore, the Commission said that it has learned some members of opposition politic...