Ethiopia…Allied conflict and subduing pivotal establishments

Report by: Khalid Taha

Analyst on East African issues

 On Monday, heavy fighting broke out in the Ethiopian city of Debre Birhan between the Ethiopian Federal Defense Forces and the Amhara Special Forces and Amharic Fano Forces. The events in the Amhara region, which is adjacent to Sudan, have been escalating since dawn on Saturday, April 8, when General Abebaw Tadesse, Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Army, ordered the dismantling of all special forces in Ethiopian regions and bringing them under the command of the federal army for integration and restructuring, with the aim of completing a disarmament program.

The violent incident in Dabre Birhan, located at 115 km from the capital Addis Ababa, in the Amhara region’s North Shwa sector, followed a clash between Ethiopian federal forces with the Amhara forces with the Amharic Fano forces’ participation in the vicinity of a Special Forces camp in the city of Swaqata in the Amhara region last Saturday morning. The federal forces attempted to surround the Amhara special forces’ exit with their weapons to the streets after the Amhara Special Forces issued a public appeal with a stern warning to President of the Region tarirkal who initially called for dialogue to contain the crisis before his removal became a condition of the allied Amhara forces. They spoke on behalf of the Amhara people, who represent a quarter of Ethiopia’s population.

On Saturday, thousands of Amhara militants gathered to demand the removal of Dr. Trier, openly criticizing his support for Abiy Ahmed and his actions that they believe are destroying the region. They issued a final warning to the Federal Defense Forces about the consequences of confrontation and imposition of options, before announcing their exit to the forest to join forces with Fano fighters and Amhara militias.

The Amhara forces’ sphere of influence also expanded to affiliated units in cities such as Al-Matama, Waldia, Qashna, Dese, Kabo, Lali Bila, and Sukqa. The issue of resolving the affiliation of the regions of Raya, Wilqayt, and Tslmti to the Amhara region urgently and decisively was considered a condition for stopping the war and laying down arms.

Those opposing the decision to disband the special forces and integrate them into the federal army staged a large demonstration in the city of Kambolcha. Reports suggest an exchange of fire in the vicinity of the city of Bahr Dar, while clashes occurred near the northern entrance of Addis Ababa at Pira Dashen Factory.

No official comments have been made regarding the humanitarian situation, but there are reports that over 10 people have been killed among the residents of the camps for displaced persons due to the escalating clashes. The residents of the China Camp for Displaced Persons reported difficulty attending the funeral of two civilians and providing aid to a seriously injured woman.

The rebellion of the Amhara special forces and their allies in the region stemmed from the federal military leadership’s attempt to dismantle centers of power and include them in preparation for restructuring the federal army under central command. This has put the peace process in Ethiopia before a new test, which could rearrange alliances and lead to military confrontations against Abiy Ahmed, even by those who supported him in the Tigray war.