Once hailed for its rapid economic growth and growing regional influence, Ethiopia now finds itself in the midst of a deepening crisis. Armed conflicts, a worsening humanitarian emergency, and ...

The government has reiterated its willingness to engage in peaceful dialogue with armed groups, amid widespread public demonstrations in Amhara State showing strong support for peace and stability.In ...

The armed conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Amhara region between the army and paramilitary group Fano has caused many hardships for civilians, including closed schools and hospitals. Footage recently ...

Ethiopia is in the grip of a civil war between federal government forces and the Fano, a loose alliance of ethnic-based militia in the Amhara region. This conflict in Ethiopia’s north erupted less ...

The conflict between militia groups, dubbed as Fano, and government security forces is entering its 20th month and showing no signs of slowing down. Fighting still rages across the Amhara region, home ...

In reality, Fano is a community-based defense force made up of local civilians and former members of the Amhara Special Forces (ASF), which was decommissioned by the government in 2023.

From lawyer to guerilla fighter Fano militia members patrolling the Sangi livestock market, Amhara region, northern Ethiopia. — AP BEFORE he was a rebel, Asres Mare Damte was a lawyer.

The Amhara region has been a flashpoint of conflict between federal forces and the Fano, with drone strikes intensifying in recent months. A similar attack in Gojjam on February 21, 2025, killed 16 ...

The extent of the Amhara fighting has been difficult to measure since the Fano emerged during anti-government protests in 2016. Alliances in Ethiopia can be shifting.

Before he was a rebel, Asres Mare Damte was a lawyer. Today he fights for the Fano, a loose collection of groups taking on Ethiopia’s military in one of its most populous and powerful regions.