Government Forces in Southern Gondar Accused of Killing Civilians and Burning Homes

Government forces in southern Gondar have been reported to have killed civilians and burned down houses. According to eyewitnesses and local residents who spoke to BBC Amharic, clashes between government forces and Fano militia in the Amhara region have led to civilian casualties and property damage.

The incident took place in a village called Agona in the South Gondar Zone of the Amhara region. It was reported that Fano militants and government forces unexpectedly encountered each other on the street, resulting in a violent exchange of gunfire. As a result, residents lost their lives and several houses were set on fire. The exchange of gunfire on Monday, April 22nd at around 9 a.m. led to injuries among government forces, prompting them to retaliate with an attack, as stated by the residents.

One resident informed BBC Amharic that government soldiers opened fire on individuals at billiard and pool halls, despite the absence of Fano militants. According to a priest, his 22-year-old brother, along with three friends from the pool hall where his younger brother was hiding, were killed in the attack.

The priest emphasized that his brother had no affiliation with Fano and was merely a student. He further explained that since there was no school at the time, his brother was assisting with farming. The media was informed by the priest that the victims included four young men and a young girl who was on her way to fetch water.

The federal army forces were identified as the perpetrators by the witnesses, who recognized them by their military fatigues and the vehicles they were using. According to the witnesses, the military forces burned down 18 homes before departing from the area. The BBC reported that numerous attempts to seek a response from the South Gondar Zone Administration and the local command post regarding the tragic events were left unanswered.

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