At least 16 people were killed yesterday in drone and artillery attacks against a camp for displaced persons in Ethiopia's Amhara region, according to testimonies gathered by local media. The conflict monitoring organization ACLED confirmed the incident to ANSA. Among the dead are reportedly three pregnant women, a young girl, and students.
The site struck is known as "Turkey Camp," which is administered within the Jari camp near Hayq in the Tehuledere district of the South Wollo zone. According to testimonies collected by Ethiopian media, the attacks began around 11:00, leaving 22 people injured. A witness told local outlets that a drone hit the camp at least five times at fifteen-minute intervals while displaced persons were inside their shelters, noting that they did not expect such an attack.
Another resident reported that at least 15 victims were buried together in a single grave due to a lack of space for individual burials. Three witnesses interviewed by AFP also confirmed the presence of children among the dead. One of them described four consecutive attacks and stated that two people died while receiving medical care. Humanitarian organizations and Ethiopian media indicate that the camp hosts people who fled violence in Oromia.
ACLED noted that some displaced persons reported activity by the nationalist Amhara Fano militias in the areas surrounding the camp, though the organization did not identify those responsible for the attacks. The Fano, who were previously allies of the federal army during the 2020-2022 Tigray war, have been fighting against the government since 2023. This conflict erupted following the federal decision to dissolve regional special forces and integrate their members into the army and police.
Sources: ANSA Mondo.