The Ethiopian government faces mounting condemnation after yet another deadly drone strike targeted civilians in the North Wollo Zone. A drone attack on the Sanqa Gesho Ber Health Center in Gubalafto Woreda claimed the lives of three civilians, including both parents and their child who had come seeking medical treatment. Two health workers were also seriously wounded while serving patients.
According to eyewitness accounts, the horrific incident unfolded at 6:00 p.m. local time when the drone struck the health center.
“The father and mother who came to treat their child were already dead when I found them,” said one resident who helped rescue survivors. “The health workers were buried under rubble, their gowns soaked in blood.”
The injured medical staff were rushed to Woldiya Hospital, while the bodies of the family remain a tragic reminder of the indiscriminate nature of the attacks.
Sanqa Gesho Ber, a rural community located just 23 kilometers from Woldiya town, has been caught in escalating violence as clashes between the Ethiopian Defense Forces (ENDF) and Fano fighters intensify across North Wollo. In recent days, exchanges of fire have been reported in Sirinka, Mersa, and Girana.
A Pattern of Targeting Civilians
This latest drone strike highlights a deeply disturbing pattern in the Ethiopian government’s conduct of the conflict. Instead of safeguarding civilians, drone warfare is repeatedly being directed against health facilities, residential areas, and non-combatants. By striking a health center – a place meant to preserve life – the government has once again shown blatant disregard for international humanitarian law and the basic principles of human rights.
Ambassador Media strongly condemns this deliberate attack on civilians and frontline health workers. The targeting of parents and children seeking medical care is not only inhumane but also constitutes a grave violation of the laws of war.
Call for Accountability
The Ethiopian government must be held accountable for its repeated use of drones against civilian populations. Each strike deepens the suffering of innocent families in Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia, and further destabilizes the fragile fabric of Ethiopian society.
We call upon the international community, human rights organizations, and global health advocates to:
- Demand an immediate halt to drone strikes on civilian areas.
- Launch independent investigations into violations committed by the ENDF.
- Hold those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable before international courts.
The tragedy in Sanqa is not an isolated incident but part of a broader campaign of violence that disregards civilian life. The silence of the world only emboldens the Ethiopian government to continue its assaults.
How many more mothers, fathers, and children must be buried before decisive action is taken?