Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) are facing new allegations of atrocities in Amhara region, just a month after authorities in Addis Ababa imposed a state of emergency in the area to deal with a local rebellion.

And the Amhara Association of America (AAA), a grouping of ethnic Amhara professionals based in the US says it has sufficient proof the Forces carried out a door-to-door massacre in Majete and the surrounding area in Efrata Gidim Woreda, and North Shewa Zone, killing at least 33 people on September 3.

The organisation says in its report that ENDF—currently fighting against Amhara Fano Militia—killed the unarmed civilians and injured an additional 13 and has sought the help of the Oromo Liberation Army (Ola) fighters from the neighbouring Dawa Chefa Woreda. The organisation is based outside of Ethiopia but says it used local agent to conduct interviews.

“The attack took place following the Fano’s unexpected attack on the ENDF stationed close to the town’s edge. Following Fano’s departure, the ENDF soldiers arrived in the town and the nearby villages with orders to execute anyone they encountered,” the report said.

The Ethiopian government did not immediately respond to the report but has rejected previous allegations the crackdown on the rebellion was a human right violation. The operation, nonetheless, has been criticised at the UN.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had said three weeks ago that Ethiopian authorities had abused their powers in dealing with the rebellion by the local Fano group.

“We have received reports that more than 1,000 people have been arrested across Ethiopia under this law. Many of those detained were reported to be young people of Amhara ethnic origin suspected of being Fano supporters,” said the UN Human Rights Office on August 29.

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