International news outlets have reported the Ethiopian government’s civilian massacre In Merhawi Amhara region.

Amnesty International has called for urgent investigations by African and global human rights organizations into the killings of civilians by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) in Merawi town, Amhara region. Following clashes with Fano militias on January 29, ENDF soldiers reportedly executed scores of local men. Residents and eyewitnesses recounted to Amnesty International that soldiers conducted house-to-house searches and shot civilians, with reports indicating over 50 fatalities.

Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab analyzed video footage and satellite imagery, verifying the presence of dead bodies and corroborating witness testimonies. Despite sharing preliminary findings with the Ethiopian government on March 21, no response has been received.

Witnesses described waking to heavy gunfire around 5:40 am and observed that the fighting ceased around 10 am when Fano fighters left. Subsequent house raids by ENDF soldiers led to multiple extrajudicial killings. One eyewitness detailed seeing a well-known local man executed on the street, while others described finding bodies with bullet wounds, including family members and neighbours.

The killings, occurring amid a state of emergency and curfew, have left the community grieving and demanding accountability. Residents emphasized that civilians should not be targeted in the conflict between armed groups.

Read more about the Merhawi massacre below: 

• Ethiopia: Merawi killings should be independently investigated
• Ethiopia: Military Executes Dozens in Amhara Region
• Amhara conflict: Ethiopians massacred in their homes by government troops
• This article is more than 3 months old Dozens of civilians killed by Ethiopian state troops in Amhara region, say reports
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• Ethiopia’s army accused of committing war crimes in Amhara region