Fano fighters today stormed Shewa Robit town in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Heavy fighting is being reported between Fano militias and security forces.
Shewa Robit is one of the main cities in the North Shewa zone of the Amhara region. The road which passes through Shewa Robit town connects Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Since last year, Amhara Fano ethnic militias have been fighting the Ethiopian security forces.
On Wednesday morning, dozens of Fano fighters entered Shewa Robit from different directions. The main Shewa Robit-Dessie road is blocked because of intense clashes between the two sides.
Fano groups generally carry out targeted attacks in main cities of the Amhara region. They lack capability to hold onto territorial gains in urban areas.
Last month, Amnesty International reported that government had established detention camps in Shewa Robit and 2 other locations in the Amhara region. Hundreds of civilians, suspected of supporting Fano fighters, are being illegally kept at these camps. According to local sources, Fano fighters tried to reach the detention camp in Shewa Robit city. Ongoing fighting in the town is being reported in the vicinity of the camp.
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