Fano Claims 71st Division Destroyed as It Headed to Tigray

For the third time in less than a week, Ethiopia's FANO forces are claiming a battlefield victory against government troops this time announcing the complete annihilation of the Ethiopian Defense Force's 71st Division in the Dawunt area of Wollo.

Speaking to Anchor Media, Berhan Arega, public relations head of the Amhara Fano National Movement's Menelik First Command, said the division arrived at the Delanta-Dawunt front with two artillery pieces, three ZU anti-aircraft guns, two 120mm mortars and more than 80 vehicles, and that "over 90 percent" of the force was neutralized. According to his tally at the time of the interview, captured materiel included 4 DShK heavy machine guns, 9 Bren guns, 7 sniper rifles, 2 RPGs and more than 300 Kalashnikovs, alongside over 150 captured soldiers; the broadcast's introduction put the number of prisoners above 1,500, with hundreds killed. Arega also claimed the division's commander died of his wounds in hospital and was evacuated by helicopter.

71st Division was possibly on its way to reinforce government positions against TPLF forces in Tigray, the spokesperson said a detail that, if accurate, would mean Fano struck a unit being massed for a potential second front. Arega added that prisoners are being treated in line with international law, noting the movement had previously handed captives to the Red Cross after rehabilitation, and declared that "no earthly force can withstand Fano's arm."