Fano forces allege that government forces killed and mutilated a breast of a fallen Fano combatant in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

Fano forces allege that government forces killed and mutilated a breast of a fallen Fano combatant in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. 

She is identified as Fanit Balem, and was a member of Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) West Zone, Ras Bitwoded Mengesha Antikem Division, and Arenzaw Damot Brigade. 

According to sources, she was a member of the commando unit of the Fano forces operating in the Gojjam area. 

AFPF alleges that “government forces naked the body of Fanit Balem, pulled a knife, mutilated her breast, skinned her and three her breast on the Asphalt road.” 

The Fano forces cited conventions about war. “Let alone a dead body, captured soldiers should be treated humanely and handed over to humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross,” it said.

Notably, Fano forces handed over about 16 wounded soldiers, from the operations in North Wollo, to ICRC.  

The image of Fanit Alem has been trending on social media platforms among Ethiopian users. The story had stirred more anger against the defense force and the ruling prosperity party. 

The Ethiopian Defense Force has not remarked about that incident.  Human Rights organizations operating in the country have not yet remarked about it too. 

There had been recurring incidents of verified egregious human rights violations including extrajudicial killings  by the Ethiopian Defense Forces in the Amhara region of Ethiopia over the past two years. 

There were instances when bodies like the United Nations Human Rights, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch  issued a statement in connection with the killings of non-combatants due to the conflict in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. 

The Fano forces operating in the region have reportedly launched what is said to be a retaliatory offensive targeting several locations in the Gojjam area. 

Borkena.com