Armed attack near Addis Abeba killed bank staff and security forces

Armed attack near Addis Abeba killed bank staff and security forces

On 19 August 2025 near Addis Abeba, unidentified gunmen attacked a convoy linked to a financial institution, killing three bank employees and eleven members of the security forces, which heightened movement risks for businesses and humanitarian staff on peri-urban routes.

• The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) confirmed the killing of its staff member, Honelegn Fantahun, in the Amhara region, marking yet another deadly attack against humanitarian workers in Ethiopia
• According to a statement issued on Monday, 18 August, Honelegn was serving in the North Gondar Zone. He was abducted on 14 August while engaged in humanitarian operations near Cheneqe, approximately 15 km from Debark town. Despite surviving brutal beatings and harassment, he was ultimately killed on 15 August 2025
• Two of his colleagues survived the attack. ERCS expressed “deep sorrow at the tragic loss of our colleague… Honelegn’s commitment and sacrifice will forever be remembered as a symbol of service and humanity.” They issued a plea calling on all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions, insisting that humanitarian workers must be allowed to deliver assistance safely and impartially
• The killing continues a disturbing pattern of attacks on ERCS personnel and assets:
  • In January 2025, ERCS reported a “horrific” attack on two ambulances in Sibu Sire district (East Wollega Zone, Oromia) and Tach Armachiho district (North Gondar Zone, Amhara). Both drivers were seriously injured and received hospital treatment
  • In February 2024, armed forces in Amhara seized two Red Cross vehicles unlawfully.
  • In January 2024, an ambulance driver, Weldu Aregawi, was killed in Tigray.
  • In October 2023, a Red Cross ambulance was burned by armed forces in West Wollega

With World Humanitarian Day being commemorated on that same day in Ethiopia and globally, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Ethiopia issued a statement honouring “the courage and commitment of humanitarian workers across Ethiopia,” noting they “risk their lives to deliver aid to those who need it most.” OCHA also reiterated the importance of protecting aid workers and civilians, urging public support for those who “put humanity first”

Date: 19-Aug-25

Source: addisstandard.com