The Amhara region of northern Ethiopia is reeling under an unprecedented wave of drone strikes that have devastated civilian communities, drawing accusations of war crimes and ethnic targeting. Despite mounting casualties and calls for accountability, the international response remains chillingly muted.
In cities like Bahir Dar, Gondar, and Dessie, drone warfare has become an everyday nightmare. Residents report skies filled with the sound of buzzing engines followed by thunderous explosions that level homes, schools, and marketplaces without warning.
Civilian Infrastructure Under Fire
Independent footage and satellite imagery verified by conflict monitoring groups suggest a deliberate campaign against civilian infrastructure. In one instance on May 27, a drone strike obliterated a crowded market in Debre Tabor, killing over 60 people, many of them women and children.
The government has offered no explanation for the incident and continues to insist that its military operations are “counter-insurgency” efforts aimed at suppressing what it labels as “armed extremist groups.”
Ethnic Dimension and Political Motives
The conflict in Ethiopia has long been marked by complex inter-ethnic tensions, but many observers now believe the drone strikes represent a deliberate escalation against the Amhara ethnic group. Tensions between the Amhara community and the federal government have surged since the Tigray War ended, with the Amhara expressing grievances over land rights, political marginalization, and broken federal promises.
“The use of drones against civilians is not just a military tactic — it is a message of domination and erasure,” said Dr. Elias Gashaw, a political scientist at the University of Pretoria. “What we’re seeing is the transformation of a political dispute into a campaign of ethnic terror.”
Humanitarian Access Denied
Aid organizations report that attempts to deliver food, medical supplies, and shelter have been routinely blocked. The Ethiopian government has imposed strict media blackouts and restricted access to the region, making independent verification difficult and limiting global awareness.
“The humanitarian situation is dire,” said Fatima Noor, an aid coordinator with International Relief Watch. “We’re seeing famine conditions emerging in rural zones as people flee urban centers. Pregnant women are giving birth in fields. Hospitals have run out of antibiotics and anesthetics.”
International Silence and Strategic Interests
Despite overwhelming evidence of civilian suffering, major international actors have remained largely silent. The African Union, headquartered in Addis Ababa, has yet to launch any formal inquiry. The United Nations has made no move to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court.
Experts suggest that Ethiopia’s role as a key security partner in the Horn of Africa — and its growing economic ties with countries like China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates — may be shielding it from meaningful external pressure.
Calls for Urgent Action
Global Amhara diaspora organizations, along with international human rights groups, are demanding immediate action — including a no-fly zone over Amhara, targeted sanctions on Ethiopian military officials, and an independent UN fact-finding mission.
