Ethiopia’s army accused of committing war crimes in Amhara region

Human Rights Watch says the Ethiopian government’s 'failure' to ensure accountability for abuses in the country 'contributes to ongoing cycles of violence and impunity' [File: Tiksa Negeri/Reuters]

Ethiopia’s army “summarily executed several dozen civilians” and committed other war crimes in the northwestern Amhara region earlier this year, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said, as it called on the United Nations to launch an independent investigation.

The incident in the city of Merawi in late January was among the deadliest for civilians since fighting began between Ethiopian federal forces and Fano militia in the restive region in August, the New York-based rights group said in a report on Thursday.