Rumors are going around about Fano Commander Zemene Kassie. It is being rumored that the Fano commander has been killed.
The rumors about one of the key Fano commanders began at the end of last week. Zemene Kassie is from the Gojjam zone of the Amhara region. The group of Fano fighters he is leading is also based in the Gojjam zone.
Around two weeks ago, the Ethiopian military launched new military offensive in the Amhara region against Fano militias which have been fighting security forces since last year. One of the key components of the new military offensive is extensive air campaign. Airstrikes are being conducted on Fano’s hideouts and strongholds across Amhara. Since Gojjam zone is one of the strongholds of the Fano groups, drone strikes are being conducted in Gojjam almost on daily basis.
The rumors about Zemene Kassie’s death were spread at the end of last week when government drones hit Fano targets in Mecha, Mota and other areas in Gojjam.
So far the Ethiopian military has not issued any official statement claiming to have killed Zemene Kassie. But government backed activists are claiming that Zemene Kassie was killed at the end of last week in a drone strike.
Fano groups, which are quick to reject government’s claims, are silent this time. Zemene Kassie has not released any audio or video message in the last 5 days, which is making government backed activists claim that Zemene is either seriously injured or he has been killed.
Zemene Kassie has been in dispute with Eskinder Nega, another major Fano commander, who is operating in the Shewa zone of the Amhara region. The fighters led by the two commanders have been involved in infighting.
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