In the age of instant information dissemination via social media platforms the integrity of content shared online often comes under scrutiny.
Recently, a video depicting a drone crash purportedly in the Amhara region amidst the conflict between the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the Fano military group caught the attention of many.
Screenshot of the false Facebook reel, taken on October 2024
However, an online investigation has revealed the video was first shared in May 2024 claiming that the incident happened in Wellega.
Screenshot of an X post shared on May 2024
According to BBC NEWS Amharic, the incident was believed to have occurred in May 2024 on farmland in Horu Gudru Wellega, a zone in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. The drone is confirmed to be the Bayraktar TB2 military-purpose drone, which was armed with two missiles when it crashed. The report shows that drones alone cost 5 to 6 million dollars, and mussels cost 60,000 to 100,000 dollars each.
Google map shows: the Horo Gudru Wellega zone in the Oromia region
The initial post, which quickly went viral, suggested that the drone crash was a consequence of the ongoing tensions in the Amhara region. The narrative painted a grim picture of the conflict, fueling emotions and opinions on social media.
Upon closer examination, it was determined that the location of the drone crash was misattributed. The discrepancy between the actual location, Wellega, Oromia, and the misinformation linking it to the Amhara region highlights the dangers of misinformation in the digital age.
Screenshot: the image was found on the Military Africa website
Military Africa is an online resource for the defense sector that gives experts in the field access to crucial articles, data, and research on African procurement patterns and military/defense technologies.
According to alleged website testimonies, over the years, Military Africa has evolved from a conventional publisher to a trustworthy go-to resource that offers the defense sector complete end-to-end data support and guides strategic decision-makers and military leadership in Africa. Moreover, their publications show that the website mainly provides information on different technological military advancements, events related to defense/military, and other military news primarily in Africa.
Even though there are several claims that the government is using a military drone in the fight against Fano militants in the Amhara region, the video used to show a drone crash in the area is false.
For these reasons, HaqCheck rated the post as false.
Instances like these underscore the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking in the face of sensationalism or misleading content. In a landscape where information spreads rapidly and unchecked, it falls upon individuals to verify sources and question narratives that may be misleading or manipulative.
