The United Nation’s human rights office reported on Tuesday, August 29, that the ongoing conflict between Ethiopia’s military and Amhara militiamen has resulted in the death of at least 183 people.
The UN’s statement provides the most detailed independent account of the casualties incurred over the month-long strife.
The conflict in Ethiopia’s second-largest region, Amhara, has led to the detention of over 1,000 people across the nation.
Many of those arrested are young ethnic Amhara, taken under a state of emergency imposed by the government due to the escalating violence.
The unrest has its roots in allegations made by many in the Amhara community, asserting that the central government is compromising their region’s security, a claim the government vehemently denies.
After initial setbacks, government troops successfully regained control over significant towns and cities in the region. However, sporadic skirmishes continue. In their statement, the UN called for all parties involved to “stop killings, other violations and abuses.”
Recent fighting in the town of Debre Tabor added to the toll. Sources say this new wave of violence began roughly a week after the Ethiopian military’s arrival in the town.
Two doctors, who wished to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, provided divergent figures of casualties in the recent clash. One claimed four deaths, including witnessing his own father-in-law being shot. The other cited seven deaths, comprising three civilians and four police officers siding with the military.
