Tragedy Strikes North Gojam: Over 50 Lives Lost in Drone Attacks
Tragedy has struck the peaceful town of Achefer Woreda in North Gojam Zone, Amhara region, as over 50 people, including innocent children and pregnant women, lost their lives in a series of devastating drone attacks. The attacks occurred on Tuesday in three successive waves, targeting the town’s market area, primary school, and health center.
Witnesses Speak Out: Horror Unfolds in Achefer Woreda
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrific events to the BBC, describing how the strikes hit Arge (Zebst), a small town located just 40 kilometers from Dur Bete. The air assault began at 7:10 a.m., leaving a trail of destruction and numerous casualties in its wake. Tragically, teenagers playing volleyball, mothers seeking medical treatment, churchgoers, and farmers going about their daily work were among the victims of this senseless violence.
According to residents, the targeted areas were in close proximity to each other, with the market area, primary school, and health center situated less than 300 meters apart. Locals reported that the drone had been circling overhead the day before, leading them to believe that the attack was a deliberate attempt to “wipe out the entire town.”
Heartbreaking Loss: Families Torn Apart by Tragedy
One heart-wrenching account shared by residents revealed that a family of five—a pregnant mother, father, and their three children—lost their lives during the attacks while having breakfast at home. As the community grappled with the devastating aftermath, two ambulances carrying the seriously injured were dispatched to Durbete for treatment. However, their journey was marred by violence, as “government forces” reportedly opened fire along the route, forcing the ambulances to turn back.
Amidst Silence: Calls for Justice and Accountability
Despite the gravity of the situation, there has been no immediate response from Ethiopia’s federal government regarding the bombings. The attacks come at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with clashes between government forces and Fano militias continuing unabated. Reports of civilians being forcibly relocated to camps and subjected to torture have further fueled concerns about the escalating violence and human rights abuses in the Amhara region.