In a tragic incident in the Amhara region, witnesses and hospital sources report that a drone strike by the Ethiopian army claimed the lives of dozens on a Monday near the small town of Sasit.
The strike occurred as a truck was discharging passengers, resulting in the loss of up to 30 civilians, including 16 individuals from a single family who were returning from a baby’s baptism.
The Ethiopian army has been embroiled in a conflict with a local militant group known as Fano since April of the previous year. Residents shared with newsmen the harrowing accounts of the devastating strike, shedding light on the human toll of the ongoing hostilities.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack targeted a gathering near Sasit, where civilians were caught in the crossfire of the conflict. Among the casualties, a medical practitioner confirmed that 18 people suffered serious injuries, with three succumbing to their wounds upon reaching medical facilities.
This tragic event unfolds against the backdrop of a protracted conflict that erupted when authorities decided to dissolve an ethnic-based paramilitary group, opting to integrate its members into various regional and national security forces.
The repercussions of this decision have been felt on the ground, leading to heightened tensions and violence in the Amhara region.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that the government has yet to respond to the reports of Monday’s drone strike, leaving many unanswered questions and fostering an atmosphere of uncertainty.
The Amhara region has been grappling with the fallout of these conflicts, as evidenced by the declaration of a state of emergency in August of the preceding year, further compounding the challenges faced by its residents.
