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At least 14 people, including children, pregnant women and students, were killed when multiple drone strikes hit an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Ethiopia’s Amhara region on Thursday.
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At least 22 people were reportedly injured, while witnesses said two additional victims died after being taken to hospital, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
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Residents said repeated strikes hit the Hayiq Jari 2 Turk displacement camp, setting more than 20 shelters ablaze and forcing displaced families to flee.
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The attack occurred amid the protracted conflict between Ethiopian federal forces and Fano armed groups, which has caused widespread displacement and civilian casualties in the region.
October 30, (THEWILL) – At least 14 people, including children, pregnant women and students, have been killed following multiple drone strikes on an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Ethiopia‘s Amhara region.
Akso, at least 22 others were reportedly injured in the attack, which occurred on Thursday at the Hayiq Jari 2 Turk displacement camp near Hayiq, in the South Wollo zone of the region.
The casualties were confirmed by residents who spoke to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Friday, with witnesses describing scenes of devastation after the bombardment of the camp.
One of the residents, identified as Yasin, said four drone strikes hit the facility in quick succession, killing at least 14 people.
He said two other victims subsequently died while receiving medical attention, suggesting that the overall death toll could have risen to 16.
“We have buried 14 people at the IDP centre. Two more died while receiving medical treatment”, he said.
Another resident, identified as Ahmed, said the attack occurred as students were returning home from school.
He recounted the death of his sister-in-law, whose body was reportedly so badly damaged that relatives struggled to identify and locate her remains.
Other residents said the repeated bombardment triggered panic among displaced families, many of whom fled their shelters in an attempt to escape the explosions.
Reports from the area indicated that more than 20 shelters caught fire during the attacks, leaving several families homeless and separating some children from their relatives.
The injured were reportedly taken to Hayiq Hospital, while victims requiring specialised medical attention were transferred to Dessie Hospital.
Children, Pregnant Women Among Victims
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of civilians living in displacement camps in Ethiopia’s conflict-affected Amhara region.
According to residents, those killed included pregnant women, children and students who had sought refuge at the camp after fleeing violence in their communities.
One resident told AFP that the victims were among people who had already been forced from their homes by insecurity and had taken shelter at the facility.
Local media and conflict monitors also reported that the camp came under repeated attacks, with one account indicating that five strikes occurred at intervals of approximately 15 minutes.
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The Hayiq Jari 2 Turk camp reportedly accommodates more than 1,800 displaced people, many of whom fled violence in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.
Located in the South Wollo zone, the camp is approximately 430 kilometres northeast of Addis Ababa, the country’s capital.
The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), an organisation that monitors political violence worldwide, also reported casualties from the incident, although figures published by different sources have varied.
As of Friday, the Ethiopian federal government had not issued an official statement on the reported bombardment or provided details of the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Background To Amhara Conflict
The incident occurred amid continuing hostilities between Ethiopian federal government forces and Fano armed groups in the Amhara region.
The conflict intensified in 2023 following disagreements over the federal government’s plan to reorganise regional security structures and integrate regional special forces into the national security architecture.
Fano, an armed movement with roots in Amhara’s local militia networks, opposed the restructuring, leading to an escalation of hostilities with federal forces.
Since then, fighting has spread across several parts of the region, resulting in civilian deaths, destruction of property and the displacement of large numbers of residents.
The conflict has also disrupted essential services, including healthcare and education, while humanitarian organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about the conditions of displaced communities.
Amhara, Ethiopia’s second-most populous region, has experienced widespread population displacement as residents flee fighting and insecurity in their communities.
The latest reported drone strikes add to concerns over civilian casualties arising from the use of aerial weapons in populated areas.
Residents and conflict monitors have reported other drone attacks in parts of Amhara and neighbouring regions, with civilians reportedly among those killed.
However, the circumstances of Thursday’s attack, including the intended target and the force responsible, had not been independently established as of Friday.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
