Nairobi: Residents in three towns in Ethiopia's Amhara region claimed that local fighters were in charge on Saturday following clashes with the national army that prompted the federal government to declare a "state of emergency."
Only nine months have passed since the devastating two-year war in the neighbouring region of Tigray, which also attracted fighters from Amhara, came to an end. The latest unrest in Africa's second-most populous nation.
The government announced the restrictions on Friday, saying they would apply to Amhara "for six months" but could be applied "nationwide in relation to any situation or movement that aggravates the security problem."
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Since the federal government announced in April that it was dismantling regional forces throughout Ethiopia, Amhara nationalists have been protesting the action, claiming it would weaken the northern region.
As a result of the recent escalation of fighting in Amhara, foreign governments have issued travel advisories and grounded flights. On Friday, the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that immediate action was required "to control this unacceptable movement."
Lalibela residents claim that the local militia Fano took control of the town and its airport earlier this week. Lalibela is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its 12th and 13th century rock-cut churches.
Aneley, a local of Lalibela, said that while stores were open on Saturday, the streets were largely empty. "Lalibela is calm, no fighting... (but) people's movement isn't like it used to be before," he said, noting that the town experienced sporadic power and internet outages.
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Locals in the cities of Gondar and Dessie reported that the atmosphere was equally tense. "Things look calm but there is no activity... almost all shops, cafes are closed," remarked Simachew, a rickshaw driver in Gondar, which saw fighting on Thursday before federal troops withdrew to its outskirts.
Due to Fano fighters blocking entry and exit points to the city, he claimed that "people are indoors in their homes." There was "no fighting here," according to Dessie businessman Amir, who claimed that Fano members were in charge of the city. "Markets and shops are open, but people here are... on alert."
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On Friday, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reported attacks on civilians, property damage, and the suspension of internet and transport services in some Amharan regions. According to web security company Cloudflare, "on Wednesday, (internet) traffic in Amhara decreased."
Flights to Dessie, Lalibela, and Gondar have been cancelled by Ethiopian Airlines, the country's flag carrier. While Britain and Spain both issued travel advisories to their citizens advising them against visiting certain areas of Amhara, the US has "expressed concern" about the violence.