In a dramatic escalation of violence, Ethiopia's military has reported the death of over 300 fighters from the Fano armed group during two days of renewed clashes in the northern Amhara region. The army's claims, released on Friday, assert that the Fano fighters, once allies against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), launched attacks across multiple zones before being “destroyed” by government forces.

According to the military statement, the clashes resulted in 317 Fano fighters killed and another 125 injured. However, Fano representatives have sharply disputed these figures. Abebe Fantahun, a spokesperson for the fighters, countered that not even 30 members had fallen in combat. Further complicating matters, Yohannes Nigusu, another Fano spokesperson, claimed that federal army losses were considerably higher, stating that 602 soldiers were killed and hundreds wounded, with additional reports of 98 soldiers being captured and weapons seized.

The Fano group, which once fought alongside Ethiopian and Eritrean forces in the struggle against the TPLF, has experienced a dramatic shift in dynamics since the conclusion of the Tigray conflict in late 2022, following a peace deal that reportedly left many in the Amhara region feeling betrayed. Tensions have continued to rise, exacerbated by accusations of military and political betrayal.

With fears of escalating conflict palpable, recent weeks have witnessed Eritrea's military mobilization and Ethiopian troop deployments near the border. Concerns over human rights abuses have also surfaced, with organizations like Human Rights Watch accusing the Ethiopian military of committing war crimes amidst the crackdown on Fano fighters. 

"The Ethiopian armed forces’ brutal killings of civilians in Amhara undercut government claims that it’s trying to bring law and order to the region," remarked Laetitia Bader, Deputy Africa Director at Human Rights Watch. She underscored the dire impact on civilians caught in the crossfire of an “abusive army operating with impunity.”

As the conflict intensifies, the situation remains precarious, with both sides entrenched in their narratives of the ongoing violence.