In a dramatic escalation of violence, the Ethiopian military has launched a large-scale operation against Fano rebel groups in the Amhara region, signaling a dangerous intensification of the ongoing conflict. Despite urgent calls from human rights organizations and international partners for a peaceful resolution, the government has chosen to pursue military force as the primary strategy.

Colonel Getnet, spokesperson for the Ethiopian army, issued a chilling statement: “The only language they [armed rebel groups] understand is force. From now on, we will talk to them in that language.” His words underscore the Ethiopian government’s firm stance, showing little regard for diplomacy or dialogue in resolving the conflict.

This offensive coincides with alarming reports from Amnesty International accusing the Ethiopian army of conducting mass arbitrary detentions in Amhara. The rights group condemned the government’s actions, calling them a blatant violation of Ethiopia’s own laws and constitution. According to Amnesty International’s Tigere Chagutah, hundreds of civilians have been detained without warrants, and most have not been brought before a court within the legally mandated 48-hour period.

“The Ethiopian army and police’s ongoing campaign of arbitrary mass detentions in the Amhara region is yet more evidence of the government’s total disregard for the rule of law,” said Chagutah.

Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of civilians being taken in the dead of night, with authorities arriving armed with pre-determined lists, disregarding legal protocols. This wave of arrests has targeted various groups, including academics and civil servants, further deepening fears of a deteriorating human rights situation.

As tensions escalate, the regional police have reported an alarming rise in abductions. Mesafint Eshete, spokesperson for the Amhara regional police, revealed that 287 abduction cases were recorded in the last Ethiopian fiscal year, which ended just three weeks ago. These kidnappings, which have been linked to the political and security crisis gripping the region, are reportedly being carried out by armed groups, criminal gangs, and even some members of the security forces, according to a recent report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

With violence spiraling out of control and basic human rights under siege, the urgent need for international intervention and pressure on the Ethiopian government to seek a peaceful solution is more critical than ever. The continued reliance on force is pushing the Amhara region deeper into crisis, risking further instability and suffering for its people.

Read the full VOA report: https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopian-military-boosts-operations-in-amhara-region/7809375.html