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A deadly assault in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has left at least eight civilians dead, including three children, with six others abducted and multiple homes destroyed, according to local accounts and officials. The attack, which residents attribute to armed groups identifying as Fano militants, unfolded in the early hours of July 15 in Godo Kebele, a rural area within the conflict-stricken Central Gondar Zone.

Witnesses described a four-hour siege beginning around 6:00 AM, with attackers reportedly arriving from neighboring villages. One resident, speaking anonymously to Addis Standard for safety reasons, called the violence “horrific,” alleging that militants targeted homes and burned children alive. “We covered their bodies and buried them,” the resident said, noting victims were laid to rest in local cemeteries. Conflicting casualty figures emerged, with some sources reporting up to ten fatalities and others still missing.

Local authorities confirmed the assault in a statement, condemning “extremist groups organized under the guise of Fano” for carrying out “brutal killings of innocent farmers, vulnerable elderly, and children.” The Chilga District Administration Council reported eight confirmed deaths, five injuries, six abductions, and widespread property destruction, including burned homes and stolen livestock. Officials emphasized the attack did not reflect the values of the Amhara people, urging communities to reject division and uphold historic ties between the Amhara and Qemant ethnic groups, who have coexisted for centuries.

While motives remain unclear, residents suggested the violence could stem from a recent dispute over livestock. Last week, militants allegedly seized 40 cattle from the area, prompting locals to reclaim 33 animals. A witness reported hearing sporadic gunfire during the attack, underscoring ongoing tensions. Survivors described the area as a “fear zone,” pleading for government intervention as threats of further violence loom.

The Amhara region has endured escalating clashes between government forces and armed factions since 2023, with civilian casualties frequently reported. In March, intensified fighting in Central Gondar and North Gojjam zones resulted in significant loss of life, highlighting the fragile security landscape. The latest attack underscores the human toll of the crisis, with displaced families, traumatized communities, and calls for urgent aid dominating local narratives.