Nov 12, 2024 · For the past 20 months, Ethiopia’s Amhara region has been torn apart by a bloody conflict between federal forces and a coalition of militia known as Fano, who demand full Amhara control of all territory they regard as part of their homeland.

On 17 September, Fano launched a large-scale offensive against Gondar, one of the largest cities in the Amhara region. The attack followed a rise in violent crimes, including robbery and kidnapping, which had been plaguing the city. [ 7 ]

Fano is an ethno-nationalist Amhara militia and former protest movement that first emerged in 2010s. Ideologically Amhara nationalist and Pan-Ethiopianist, Fano has been engaged with several wars and civil conflicts in Ethiopia, and were a major belligerent in the Tigray War and the OLA insurgency.

Fano (Amharic: ፋኖ) [2] is an ethno-nationalist Amhara militia and former protest movement. It has engaged in violent clashes throughout Ethiopia in the name of neutralizing perceived threats to the Amhara people.

Fighters from a militia called Fano fought against military units Sunday in the town of Gondar, an important tourist and commercial hub, residents told The Associated Press. “It was very heavy,” said one person reached by telephone who declined to give their name because of …

Apr 11, 2025 · Work has stopped,” said Tadesse Gete, a barber based in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, but from North Gondar, one of the fighting’s hot spots. He said his family fled for safety. ... The Fano continues to draw recruits from disillusioned Amhara youth and from soldiers deserting the military. They include 25-year-old Andrag Challe, who ...

Dec 23, 2024 · Tensions in Ethiopia’s volatile Amhara region escalated sharply on Sunday as approximately 30 Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) soldiers were captured by Amhara Fano forces in the Gondar...

Aug 9, 2023 · Ethiopia’s military has pushed local militiamen out of most of Gondar, a large city where intense fighting has raged since clashes broke out across the Amhara region last week, residents and a...

Apr 11, 2025 · Fano militia members patrol Sangi livestock market, in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2025. ... Addis Ababa, but from North Gondar, one of the fighting's hot spots. He ...

Jan 21, 2025 · Analysts see the development as a milestone in light of the work to unite Fano forces in the four major traditional provinces – Gojjam, Gondar, Shewa and Wollo – under a single command. As well, some fano leaders from other parts of the Amhara region hailed the development as decisive and elating.