More than 100 people, including elders, children, and young adults, were reportedly killed in air attacks carried out by “government forces” in the South Mecha woreda of the North Gojjam zone in the Amhara region, according to residents and witnesses cited by the BBC.

A wave of drone strikes and random attacks hit the woreda capital, Gerchech, from October 11 to October 14, according to the families and residents of the victims.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) stated that it had received reports of the killings and was in the process of gathering information.

The Ethiopian Federal Forces stated that Fano forces had attacked the area in an attempt to seize control and claimed to have killed “53 members of the extremist group.”

According to the BBC, the first round of airstrikes on the Mehal Genet Health Center around midday on Friday, October 11, resulted in eight deaths, including that of a nine-year-old child, and left dozens more injured. The attack also caused damage to nearby homes in addition to the health center.

The drone attack reportedly destroyed both the pharmacy and houses at the Mehal Genet Health Center. Sources reported that one of the victims was a pharmacist and that individuals seeking treatment, along with residents, were injured.

Residents reported that tensions had been escalating in the area for days leading up to the drone attack, although there were no Fano gunmen in the town at that time. However, at around 5:30 p.m., Fano forces entered the town, resulting in intense fighting that lasted approximately five hours between government forces and Fano militants. In the days following the first round of attacks on Friday, government forces had “killed several people” in assaults on homes and streets, according to sources.

The sources reported that about 15 people were shot in a sorghum field while returning to their homes, believing that calm had returned. Federal forces targeted them, accusing them of supporting the Fano. A priest in Gerchech told the BBC that the funerals for 72 deceased individuals were held at various churches over the weekend.