The Defense Forces announced that they “killed 48 militants, including Fano leaders, and wounded 40 others” during counter-insurgency operations in the West Gojam Zone, North Gojam Zone, and Awi of the Amhara Region on Saturday.

In a statement issued by the Defense Forces, the group said that “eight extremist members were killed and 13 were injured in an anti-insurgency operation conducted in Qane, a village in the Kuchi Kebele of the Gherma Woreda of the West Gojjam Zone.”

It added that on the same day, 23 extremist members were neutralized and 19 were injured in a “strategic operation” conducted in Asm Kebele, Banja Woreda, Awi Zone.

Among those who said the defense forces had been destroyed, the statement also stated that "the founder and leaders of Fano are present."