On July 10, 2023, a Facebook post appeared containing images and a statement claiming that Fano militants in the Debre Elias Woreda had confiscated more than 15 rifles from local militiamen and policemen who supported the government.
According to the post, Ethiopian soldiers arrived in the Debrelias Woreda using three Urals and one autobus. It further asserted that the weapons were seized during a confrontation with local militiamen and policemen who collaborated and assisted Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) troops in the area.
However, the image was old and it doesn’t support the claim. Thus, the claim is rated False.
The Amhara region has been witnessing protests ever since the Ethiopian federal government made the decision in April 2023 to disarm special police forces.
The Amhara regional state became embroiled in conflicts and armed clashes involving the armed forces of the Ethiopian government and informal armed militias. Reports indicate that many people have lost their lives in recent armed confrontations within the region.
Recent conflicts and protests have also been reported in the East and West Gojjam zones of the region, resulting in casualties on both sides. Security personnel were responsible for the deaths of protesters, while armed militias killed Ethiopian army soldiers.
Civil unrest occurred recently in the towns of Denbecha, Jiga, and Finote Selam in Gojjam, Amhara regional state. Subsequently, fighting took place between unidentified armed groups and government security forces, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to over 20 people.
Against this backdrop, on July 10, 2023, a Facebook post emerged claiming that Fano militants in the Debre Elias Woreda had captured more than 15 rifles from local militiamen and policemen who supported the government.
The post stated that Ethiopian soldiers, traveling in three Urals and one autobus, entered the Debrelias Woreda. It also claimed that the weapons were seized during a fight with local militiamen and policemen who assisted and guided the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) troops in the area.
However, the image accompanying the post does not support these claims. The original image was first posted by AMECO in October 2021. Consequently, HaqCheck rated the post as False due to its use of an inaccurate image.
