According to a hospital official, a suspected air strike in Ethiopia's Amhara region has resulted in the death of at least 26 individuals. The strike, which occurred in Finote Selam on Sunday, stands out as one of the deadliest incidents in the region. In this area, clashes have been ongoing between the army and Fano, a paramilitary force.

Ethiopia's human rights commission has expressed deep concern about the escalating violence. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration declared a six-month state of emergency in Amhara on August 4th.

The conflict has been aggravated by Fano's allegations that the federal government intends to weaken Amhara's defenses. This situation marks Ethiopia's most serious crisis since the conclusion of the civil war in the Tigray region last November, during which Fano supported federal forces. Despite calls to disarm, Fano has chosen not to comply, prompting the deployment of federal troops.

According to the hospital official, all the victims who arrived on Sunday were dressed in either casual civilian attire or traditional Sunday clothing.

"The casualties range from a 13-year-old child to the elderly," he said. "I didn't get the chance to see what caused the explosion... but residents said it was a drone strike".

A university teacher who was visiting a relative in the hospital told Reuters he had seen 14 bodies there and had been told by a medical worker that another 12 had died.

Fifty-five more are being treated for injuries sustained in the explosion, a hospital official said.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) called on "conflicting parties to immediately end" all alleged violations of human rights laws.

The violence has led to drastic action, such as the Israeli government evacuating its citizens and Jewish people from the area last week. Amhara is home to thousands of members of the Jewish community.

The EHRC said has documented the killing of protesters, the looting of weapons and ammunition from police stations and prisons, and the targeting of Amhara regional administration officials.

Too bad

Too bad