The Ethiopia Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued a report condemning the killing of numerous civilians by drone strikes and house to house searches in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The Monday report documented several incidents of extrajudicial killings, injuries, displacement and property destruction by the government security forces and state militia.

The report stated that government forces targeted civilians suspected of being associated with FANO, Amhara’s nationalist militia that opposes the federal government’s attempt to disband Amhara’s special forces. Eyewitness accounts and medical records also confirmed that several civilians, including a one month old baby, were injured in a drone attack in the North Showa Zone of the Beheret District. Another drone attack in Debre Markos City on October 8 claimed the lives of eight civilians.

The report also revealed that the conflict has resulted in mass displacement of people and destruction of property. According to the commission, 3,000 people have been displaced and forced to look for shelter in open fields in Amora Bete Kebele and others in Metehera and Awash. Government forces also looted and burned houses, shops, vehicles and crops belonging to civilians. While urging the state to provide peaceful solutions, Daniel Bekele, the Chief Commissioner of the EHRC commented:

Civilians, their property, and public infrastructure should never be targeted. It is crucial to ensure accountability, especially for crimes like rape and extrajudicial killings. The displaced populations must receive timely humanitarian assistance, and finding a permanent solution for their return is essential.

In early August, Ethiopia’s government declared a 6-month state of emergency over the ongoing fighting. Since then, the conflict has drawn international attention and concern. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in late August, expressed alarm over the house searches and mass arbitrary arrests of civilians suspected of supporting FANO. The OHCHR also called for an independent investigation into the allegations of human rights violations and accountability for those responsible. Then, in October, UN experts reiterated their concerns and warned of the rising threat of genocide and related crimes.