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Ethiopian Forces Accused of Attacks on Healthcare in Amhara Region
A recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has brought to light egregious allegations against Ethiopian security forces and an allied militia group regarding attacks on medical professionals, patients, and healthcare facilities in the Amhara region since August 2023. The 66-page report titled “‘If the Soldier Dies, It’s On You’: Attacks on Medical Care in Ethiopia’s Amhara Conflict” labels these actions as war crimes, shedding light on the brutal targeting of healthcare operations during the conflict between the federal government and the non-state militia, Fano.
The report, which was based on remote interviews conducted between August 2023 and May 2024 with 58 individuals impacted by the situation in Amhara, details harrowing incidents of violence against the healthcare sector. It alleges that Ethiopian federal forces operating in the region have been attacking medical facilities and personnel providing crucial services, disregarding civilian lives with near impunity.
One of the shocking incidents reported in the document was a drone strike on an ambulance in Wegel Tena that resulted in the deaths of four civilians and the destruction of crucial medical supplies. Additionally, the report highlights how medical professionals have been subjected to intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and physical violence for treating individuals suspected of being associated with the Fano militia. This has created a climate of fear, obstructing access to hospitals and clinics and severely disrupting the delivery of medical supplies and humanitarian aid efforts.
Notably, the ongoing conflicts in the Amhara region have severely disrupted vital supply lines, leading to acute shortages of medical supplies in hospitals. The health institutions in the region are struggling with shortages of essential medicines for chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, due to road closures caused by fighting in surrounding districts. The dire situation has been exacerbated by clashes that have disrupted essential medical supply chains, causing significant distress to hospitals in the region.
Human Rights Watch has called on Ethiopian authorities to immediately cease the alleged attacks on healthcare in Amhara and strengthen legal frameworks protecting medical operations. The organization also urges Ethiopia’s international partners to demand accountability, resume independent rights monitoring, and increase support for rehabilitating damaged health infrastructure to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
