Ethiopia's Declaring a State of Emergency in its Amhara Region as Local Fighters Clash with Military

People walk along a street in the town of Metema in northwestern Ethiopia on August 1, 2023 across from Sudan's eastern town of Gallabat. (Photo by AFP)
People walk along a street in the town of Metema in northwestern Ethiopia on August 1, 2023 across from Sudan's eastern town of Gallabat. (Photo by AFP)
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Ethiopia's Declaring a State of Emergency in its Amhara Region as Local Fighters Clash with Military

People walk along a street in the town of Metema in northwestern Ethiopia on August 1, 2023 across from Sudan's eastern town of Gallabat. (Photo by AFP)
People walk along a street in the town of Metema in northwestern Ethiopia on August 1, 2023 across from Sudan's eastern town of Gallabat. (Photo by AFP)

Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers is declaring a state of emergency in the country’s Amhara region after authorities pleaded for help as clashes intensify there between regional forces and the military.
The prime minister’s office announced the decision on Friday after the region’s leader said regular law enforcement was no longer able to contain the violence. The declaration needs approval from Parliament, The Associated Press said.
“The threat the activity is imposing on national security and public peace is increasing day by day,” the declaration said, noting severe economic damage as well and blaming “armed extremist groups.”
Ethiopia’s second most populous region has been gripped by instability since April, when federal authorities moved to disarm Amhara’s security forces following the end of the devastating two-year war in the neighboring Tigray region. Authorities last year also tried to dismantle the informal Amhara militia known as Fano.
This week, residents have reported fighting across the Amhara region as militia members attacked army units and protesters blocked roads. Flights to two popular tourist towns, Lalibela and Gondar, have been suspended. Internet access has been affected.
A state of emergency likely means restrictions on movement and increased powers of detention.



Iran Is Preparing to ‘Respond’ to Israel, Says Adviser to Supreme Leader

Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, attends a press conference after meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon November 15, 2024. (Reuters)
Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, attends a press conference after meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon November 15, 2024. (Reuters)
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Iran Is Preparing to ‘Respond’ to Israel, Says Adviser to Supreme Leader

Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, attends a press conference after meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon November 15, 2024. (Reuters)
Ali Larijani, former chairman of the parliament of Iran, attends a press conference after meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon November 15, 2024. (Reuters)

Iran is preparing to "respond" to Israel, Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to the country's supreme leader, said in an interview published by Iran's Tasnim news agency on Sunday.

On Oct. 26, Israeli fighter jets carried out three waves of attacks on Iranian military targets, a few weeks after Iran fired a barrage of about 200 ballistic missiles against Israel. Iran has previously vowed to respond to Isarel's attacks.