Kombolcha massacre

TPLF was the minority-dominant group in Ethiopian politics for 27 years.[12] Regime changes occurred in 2018 in which the TPLF lost control of federal positions while holding power in the Tigray Region. The power struggle between Abiy Ahmed’s regime and the TPLF led to the Northern-Ethiopia war that started following the federal Northern Command attack by TPLF in November 2020.[13][14] As the war prolonged, TPLF invaded the Amhara and the Afar regions in July 2021, reportedly massacring civilians and causing severe destructions.[15][16][17][18]

Kombolcha was occupied by the TPLF forces from late October through the end of 2021. The massacre of Amhara civilians occurred on 30 October 2021, following the infiltration of the attackers into the town. Residents reported chaotic nights and gunshots.[19][20] The massacre of the 100 Amhara youths occurred after a year of continuous fighting in the Tigray War, and with the invasion of Tigray forces into the Amhara region.[16][4][3] Frightened residents reported that they had spent the day in their homes as gunfire shook the town.[21] Members of the TPLF shot and summarily executed the youths, and reportedly set the victims on fire at a compound of a Turkey-based company.[7] AAA identified partial victim's list and published testimonies.[22]

Tigray forces reportedly looted and ransacked foreign aid essentials, and private and public properties, including the WFP food supplies for malnourished children in Kombolcha. WFP reported that it suspended distributing food aid after Tigray gunmen looted its warehouses, and stole large quantities of essential food supplies while holding aid staff at gunpoint.[10][11] A UN spokesperson also communicated another mass looting in the town, and the additional hijacking of 18 WFP aid trucks by the TPLF forces.[23] The government reported looting and damages to these manufacturing industries in Kombolcha and Dessie: 10 food processing, 11 leather and textile factories, 3 metal processing factories, 11 Agro-processing, and 10 chemical industries. TPLF also destroyed infrastructure and facilities such as schools and health stations.[11][24][25][26]

The humanitarian crisis remains dire for Amhara IDPs.[1] Kombolcha and Dessie were already the refugee destinations for millions of Amhara IDPs who fled North Wollo from TPLF attackers.[27] AAA reported the dire situation of the IDPs sheltered in the surroundings of public schools.[28][29] Civic groups expressed concern on the lack of support from government bodies— stated that the IDPs had not been given attention in both Dessie and Kombolcha.[30][1]

Reports covered that Kombolcha was recaptured by the Ethiopian Federal army and the Amhara forces, and TPLF retreated out of the town— reversing TPLF's short-lived gains on the war front.[43][44] TPLF denied defeat and carrying out the massacre.[45]

• Chenna massacre
• Galikoma massacre
• Kobo massacre
• Mai Kadra massacre