Government troops accused of killing Ethiopians in their homes during Amhara conflict.

Last month, Ethiopian troops conducted door-to-door raids in the town of Merawi, resulting in the death of at least 45 civilians, according to the country's human rights watchdog. Witnesses reported that a pregnant woman was among those shot, and she later died in the hospital. The Ethiopian government has not provided any comment on these killings. The United States and European Union have called for an independent investigation into the matter. This violence represents one of the most severe incidents in the Amhara region since Fano militias rebelled against the government's attempt to disarm them in August 2021. Before that, Fano had been an ally of the Ethiopian troops in their fight against the TPLF rebels in the neighboring Tigray region. A peace agreement has now been reached in Tigray. Fano militias resist disbanding their forces out of fear of attacks from neighboring regions. Witnesses in Merawi described intense fighting between the military and Fano fighters on January 29, followed by house-to-house searches by Ethiopian security officers. Many witnesses have spoken to the BBC on the condition of anonymity, sharing horrifying accounts of the killings. Medical staff confirmed that a pregnant woman was among those shot and died upon arrival at the hospital. One survivor who managed to hide and escape described seeing bodies lying on the roads the next day. Communication and information have only recently emerged due to a prolonged internet blackout in most of Amhara. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has identified a total of 45 victims, but it is believed the actual number could be higher. Ethiopian MPs voted to extend the state of emergency in Amhara, which has raised concerns from the US and the EU. Ongoing fighting between Fano militias and the military continues in rural areas and smaller towns. The use of drone strikes and heavy artillery has caused widespread anxiety in Amhara. Government offices have been operating poorly in conflict-ridden towns like Bure. In December, the UN reported that civilian targets, including a school compound and a bus station, were hit by drones, but the central government denied deliberately targeting civilians while expressing commitment to eradicating "extremists."