Ethiopian Government’s Use of Drones on Civilians Escalates in Amhara Region

Ethiopian government has imported drones from China, Iran, Israel, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Bahirdar, Ethiopia – On the morning of October 14, 2024, the Ethiopian government carried out drone and helicopter airstrikes near Bahir Dar, targeting civilians in the Southern Achefere and Northern Mecha areas of the Amhara region. Starting at approximately 8:30 AM, the attacks left significant damage to civilian establishments, marking a continuation of the escalating violence in the region.

In Southern Achefere, bombs dropped from helicopters struck a primary school, causing destruction and civilian casualties. Local sources confirmed that one child was among the injured. Additionally, bombs were targeted at road construction camps in the area, exacerbating the toll on local infrastructure.

Simultaneously, in Northern Mecha, drone strikes caused severe harm to farmers and other civilians. Eyewitnesses report that repeated drone attacks have led to multiple deaths, with critical damage to schools, administrative offices, health clinics, and homes.

This follows a pattern of increasing drone usage by Ethiopian government forces, which has raised alarm over civilian casualties. In a previous report by East African Review, a drone strike in North Shewa Zone on May 12, 2024, killed four civilians, including teachers, and injured five others at Gulo Elementary School. That attack occurred during a Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting, leaving the community in mourning. A 30-year-old farmer, one of the victims, was struck while collecting water near the school.

The ongoing use of drones has led to several fatalities in the Amhara region. On September 26, a drone attack on a high school in Mikael Debir, Libo Kemkem Woreda, resulted in six teachers’ deaths and left four others critically injured. The attack also caused severe damage to classrooms, further disrupting education in the conflict-affected region.

Between September and October, drone and airstrike use was recorded in five woredas across four zonal administrations in the Amhara region, including Dega-Damot, Jabi-Tehnan, Ibnat, East Dembiya, and Qwara. The strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, destroyed infrastructure, and heightened fears among communities in northwestern Amhara.

Between September and October, drone and airstrike use was recorded in five woredas across four zonal administrations in the Amhara region, including Dega-Damot, Jabi-Tehnan, Ibnat, East Dembiya, and Qwara. The strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, destroyed infrastructure, and heightened fears among communities in northwestern Amhara.

As the conflict intensifies, the humanitarian toll continues to rise, with many civilians caught in the crossfire. International observers have called for an immediate halt to airstrikes targeting non-combatants and for dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Source:-East African Review.