EuropeExternal Programme with Africa Situation in Ethiopia - per 7 August

EEPA Situation Report
Tigrai Online 8/8/2023

Fighting continues in the Amhara region. The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) acknowledged it has lost some areas to the Fano militia.

Fighting is ongoing in the capital city of Amhara, Bahir Dar, and other locations such as Gondar, where the ENDF are trying to take the city back from Fano control.

Fano reportedly holds Shewa Robit, Debre Berhan and Gondar.

In the towns controlled by Fano, they have released prisoners and taken over government institutions.

ENDF military are approaching the Alemwach camp for Eritrean refugees, located in the Amhara region, from two sides. Refugees fear becoming trapped with no safe routes out. It is estimated that around half of the Amhara regional forces have joined the Fano militia to fight against the ENDF.

The Eritrean army has re-entered western Tigray in several locations and is reportedly training Fano militia in Humera, who are then being sent into Amhara to fight the ENDF, sources state.

Temesgen Tiruneh, Director General of National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) of Ethiopia and former President of the Amhara region, was appointed to head the general command and lead the execution of the state of emergency in Amhara.

The proclamation of the state of emergency allows the state various powers, such as establishing local administrative structures, making decisions on local administrative and security issues, limiting demonstrations and grants the power to shut down media houses.

The state of emergency, initiated for a period of six months, may also apply to other areas of Ethiopia.

Temesghen Tiruneh accused the Fano militia of attempting to overthrow the regional and federal government.

You can read the whole report here