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Fighters take weapons from police station amid clashes with Ethiopia military
Unrest started after Ethiopia government ordered all regional forces to integrate with federal military or police
Amhara Region in Northern Ethiopia has been engulfed in a fresh wave of unrest and violence after regional forces were ordered to integrate with the federal military or police last week. Protesters and military personnel have been clashing in the region, with reports of heavy gunfire and casualties coming in from several cities.
Local fighters briefly took over a police station in Mezzezo town and seized weapons before leaving after a gunfight. Residents also claimed that the authorities have shut down the internet and that the fighting has caused widespread panic and insecurity.
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The unrest started after Ethiopia’s government ordered all regional forces to integrate with the federal military or police. Many people in the Amhara region, including members of the armed group known as FANO, have opposed the order, leading to protests and clashes with the military. The situation escalated after false rumors spread that federal troops had taken Amhara regional fighters into custody, leading to protesters attacking an army camp in Kombolcha.
While the exact number of casualties is still unknown, witnesses reported casualties in the city of Debre Birhan, located 130 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa. Residents have reported that security forces are trying to enter the city, but protesters are refusing to let them in, leading to a tense standoff. The situation has been compounded by the shutdown of the internet, which has made it difficult for people to communicate and for journalists to report on the situation.
The violence in the Amhara region has raised concerns about the stability of the country, which is still reeling from a devastating two-year war in the north of the country. The federal government and Tigrayan forces signed a peace deal in November, ending the conflict that left hundreds of thousands of people dead and displaced millions.
The integration of regional forces into the federal military or police is seen as a critical step toward lasting peace and stability in the country.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said that regional forces would not be disarmed, but their integration would be carried out by force if necessary. However, the violence in the Amhara region shows that the process of integrating regional forces into the federal military or police will not be an easy one. The insecurity in the region has also led to aid groups expressing concern, with Catholic Relief Services, reporting that two of its staff were shot and killed on Sunday in Amhara as they were returning to Addis Ababa.
The situation in the Amhara region highlights the challenges that Ethiopia faces in the aftermath of the Tigray conflict. The integration of regional forces into the federal military or police is a critical step toward lasting peace and stability in the country, but it will require careful handling and cooperation from all sides.
