ADDIS ABABA, Oct 17 (AGCNewsNet) – Fano forces in Ethiopia have accused government troops of killing and mutilating a captured female fighter in the Amhara region, in what they describe as a “gross violation of human rights and international conventions on the treatment of combatants.”

The deceased, identified as Fanit Balem, was reportedly a member of the Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) West Zone under the Ras Bitwoded Mengesha Antikem Division and the Arenzaw Damot Brigade. According to sources, she served as part of the commando unit of the Fano forces operating in the Gojjam area.

In a statement released by the group, the AFNF alleged that government troops “stripped the body of Fanit Balem, pulled a knife, mutilated her breast, and threw it on the asphalt road.” The statement condemned the act as “inhumane and contrary to war conventions,” adding that “captured soldiers should be treated humanely and handed over to humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross.”

The group also highlighted that it had previously handed over 16 wounded government soldiers to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) following clashes in North Wollo.

Images of Fanit Balem circulated widely on social media this week, sparking outrage among Ethiopian users and renewed anger toward the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the ruling Prosperity Party.

Neither the Ethiopian government nor the military has issued a statement on the alleged incident. Similarly, human rights organizations operating in the country have not yet commented on the report.

Over the past two years, several verified reports of human rights abuses—including extrajudicial killings—have been attributed to the Ethiopian military in the Amhara region. International bodies such as the United Nations Human Rights Office, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have previously documented similar violations against civilians and combatants.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Fano forces have launched retaliatory attacks in several parts of the Gojjam area following the alleged killing and mutilation of Balem.

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