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List of Fano militia factions

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The Ethiopian flag with no emblem is widely advocated by the Fano militia

Fano is an ethno-nationalist Amhara militia and former protest movement that first emerged in 2010s. Ideologically Amhara nationalist and Pan-Ethiopianist, Fano has been engaged with several wars and civil conflicts in Ethiopia, and were a major belligerent in the Tigray War and the OLA insurgency.

Background

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Relations between the Ethiopian government and Fano aggravated in 2023 which ultimately resulted in the ongoing War in Amhara. During the course of conflict, the Fano militia controlled most of Amhara region and is composed of six major factions operating in the zones and districts of the Amhara region. These factions are:

Wollo Fano

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The Fano faction in Wollo is led by Mihretu "Mire" Wodajo and commanded by Command division of Fano under Colonel Fantahun Muhabe. In April 2024, the division said to be reached an agreement the federal government under single command.[1] Like other divisions, the Wollo faction is actively operating in the Amhara Region and engaging in fighting against Ethiopian government forces.[2] In July 2024, the Ethiopian security forces captured the division's logistic supplier in South Wollo Zone.[3]

Gojjam Fano

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The Gojjam Fano is co-headed by Asres Mare and Zemene Kassie. In August 2024, the Gojjam Fano has been undertaking special operation after the ENDF deployed 30,000 troops As part of their strategy, the division restricted any vehicular movement, only ambulance allowed for transportation.[4][5][6] The Gojjam Fano rumored to reach agreement with the government. Meanwhile the head of the foreign and diaspora affairs department for the division Simeneh Mulatu dismissed that there have not been any talks or negotiations they started with the government.[7] On 26 March 2024, the ENDF Brigadier General Gaddissa Diro was killed in Dega Damo area of Gojjam.[8]

Gondar Fano

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The Gondar Fano is headed by Baye Kengaw and Mesafint Tesfu is the leader of The Amhara Fano Unity in Gondar (AFUiG).[9] The group has played a crucial role in operations during the August 2023 fighting with the ENDF troops, caputing the Gondar city until they pushed back by the troops on 8 August.[10] On 20 March 2024, Major Wubante Abate, a prominent Fano leader and founder of Guna Brigade of Fano forces in Gondar was reportedly killed in action. He was killed in Dera district, Gelawdowos area in after long battle with the government force.[11] On 4 April 2024, the Fano units in South Gondar claimed that they have killed 52 ENDF soldiers while 36 reportedly wounded. The operation codenamed "Zemecha Operation Wubante" was followed as a response of Wubante's death in the same region.[12][13]

Shewa Fano

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The Shewa Fano is led by Meketaw Mamo under the name Shewa Province Command.[14] On 3 March 2024, Fano forces captured Shewa Robit town. Mamo Bridge confirmed to Anchor Media that the town is under control and fighting is take place. After the government withdrew from the mountainous region, it was alleged that the government troops targeted artillery shelling in the town.[15] In July, the division reportedly engaged fighting with joint ENDF–militia force in a location about 55 kilometers to the capital Addis Ababa. According to an Ethiopian Media Services (EMS) report, the government force deployed shelling at Koremash town, in Hageremariam Kessem woreda, with heavy artillery indiscriminately. Deputy Public Relation Head of the Amhara Fano Shewa Nigatu Yitaferu, the Fano forces have withdrew from the town to avoid civilian causality, while ambushing into the rural areas.[16] On 22 July, Shewa's Fano leader Assegid Mekonnen has been surrendered by the Ethiopian security forces.[17][18]

Amhara People's Army

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The Amhara People's Army was founded by Eskinder Nega in Gojjam on 20 May 2023.[19] It was initially named as the Amhara People’s Front (APF).[20][21][22] It was rumored that Eskinder was allied to other Fano groups and he was hidden.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Account (2024-04-30). "Another major breakthrough as Wollo Fano came under a single command". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  2. ^ Account (2024-08-18). "Wollo Fano : Military activities in recent weeks". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  3. ^ "Ethiopian forces capture a Fano rebel group's logistics supplier in the South Wollo | Geopolitical Intelligence". Geopolitical Report. 2024-07-21. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  4. ^ Account (2024-08-15). "Gojjam Fano Claims Special Operation Achieving Results Amid Intense Fighting". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  5. ^ Account (2024-08-18). "Gojam Fano Special Operation : EMS report". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  6. ^ "Ethiopian militia leader advocates for beheading". 2024-04-27. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  7. ^ "Ethiopia PM says talks underway with armed groups; one group denies any discussion". Voice of America. 2024-08-02. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  8. ^ "Fano Spokesperson in Gojam confirm Defense Force General Killed". Ethiopian Tribune. 2024-03-26. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  9. ^ "At least 10 Fano factions in armed resistance in Amhara, new report". 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  10. ^ "Ethiopian forces push Fano fighters from Amhara's Gondar city". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  11. ^ Account (2024-03-20). "A prominent Fano rebel leader reportedly killed in Gondar". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  12. ^ Account (2024-04-05). "Rebel forces in Ethiopia's Amhara region say they have killed 52 gov't soldiers". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  13. ^ Nadeem, Sajid (2024-03-21). "Fano Launch "Zemecha Operation Wubante" across Amhara & Addis Ababa". My Views on News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  14. ^ AAA-admin (2024-08-06). "BBC Amharic - Who Are the Leaders of the Fano Groups Operating in Amhara Region?". Amhara Association o. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  15. ^ Account (2024-03-04). "Shewa Robit town reportedly came under Fano control". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  16. ^ Account (2024-07-13). "Fano Shewa reportedly battled with Defense force near Addis Ababa". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  17. ^ Account (2024-07-22). "Ethiopian gov't says a leading Fano leader in Shewa "surrendered"". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  18. ^ Account (2024-07-22). "Fano Leader Assegid Mekonen appeared in state media after "surrendering"". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  19. ^ "Ethiopia's Ominous New War in Amhara". Crisis Group. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  20. ^ ACLED, Communications (2024-07-05). "The pursuit of peace in Amhara region - June 2024". Ethiopia Peace Observatory. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  21. ^ Account (2024-06-16). "Eskinder Nega's remark about possible negotiation with government". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  22. ^ https://www.theafricareport.com/318282/ethiopia-after-tigray-and-oromia-amhara-nationalists-take-on-abiy/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ Nadeem, Sajid (2024-03-22). "Eskinder Nega speaks about the death of Wubante Abate". My Views on News. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
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