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Violent clashes have recently erupted in the ancient Ethiopian town of Lalibela, according to residents who have spoken to the BBC. Lalibela is renowned for its 13th-century churches, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The violence has emerged due to confrontations between government forces and local militia, particularly the Fano group from the neighboring Amhara region. The Fano militia has been engaged in a prolonged battle with the national army since being instructed to disband. However, the government spokesperson, Legesse Tulu, has contradicted reports of violence in the city, as per Reuters news agency. Witnesses have asserted that the fighting is intense, with flights unable to land at the local airport due to the ongoing conflict. The Amhara region, where Lalibela is located, has been a volatile region for the past few months as clashes between the Fano militia and the military continue. In an effort to quell the violence, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government imposed a six-month state of emergency in early August, enabling them to regain control of major towns and cities, including Lalibela, which had fallen into the hands of the Fano group. Notably, the Fano militia and federal government forces were once allies when they joined forces to combat Tigrayan forces from northern Ethiopia during their rebellion in 2020. The conflict concluded with the signing of a peace agreement last year between the federal government and Tigrayan forces. However, tension has since arisen between the Fano group and federal authorities following the government's attempt to integrate the militia into the national military. Authorities in the Amhara region argue that this decision will prevent them from being able to provide armed resistance in the face of any future threats. Due to the ongoing violence, approximately 3,000 people have been displaced from their homes since the conflict began, according to the Ethiopia Human Rights Commission.