Israel Evacuates Citizens and Ethiopian Jews Amidst Violence in Amhara Region.
In response to recent violence, Israel has successfully evacuated over 200 of its citizens and Ethiopian Jews from two cities in the Amhara region. These individuals have been safely relocated to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
Amhara holds a significant Jewish community, and the move aims to safeguard their well-being. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the evacuation, emphasizing the need to transport the evacuees away from conflict zones, with their ultimate destination being Israel.
Despite intense clashes between the army and local militias, major cities in the Amhara region currently experience relative calm. The army has asserted control over key areas, yet residents in smaller towns and rural districts report that local militias still exert influence.
Amidst these events, the United States and the United Kingdom, alongside Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, have united to express shared concerns regarding Ethiopia’s declining security situation. A joint statement released on Friday highlighted the recent violence in Amhara and Oromia regions, underscoring the unfortunate loss of civilian lives and the resulting instability.
The UN’s Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia has also voiced deep concern over the recent insecurity. The commission called upon the government to uphold principles of necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination while implementing a state of emergency in response to the violence.
