A Facebook video claiming to show a recent execution in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has been traced back to a 2021 massacre in Tigray. The conflicts in the Amhara region have intensified since federal disarmament efforts began in 2023, leading to a humanitarian crisis. The video highlights the ongoing issues of misinformation related to the violence in Ethiopia.
A short video purportedly showing a mass execution in Ethiopia has been making rounds on social media, stirring alarming confusion regarding its origin. The 19-second clip, posted on Facebook on May 15, 2025, features a caption in Amharic proclaiming the necessity of supporting the Fano militia and denouncing the ruling Prosperity Party. It has since garnered more than 470 shares, fueled by further incendiary claims that ‘Amharas are being massacred.’
The footage depicts individuals in military uniforms executing a group dressed in civilian clothes against a stark, arid backdrop. This troubling content not only raises questions about who is responsible for such violence but also hints at an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Amhara region, which has seen escalating conflict since federal efforts to disarm local paramilitaries began in April 2023. Media reports suggest that millions of children are currently out of school, and numerous hospitals are struggling to function amidst the chaos.
Recent hostilities caught the attention of the international community especially after Amnesty International reported extrajudicial executions by the Ethiopian army in Amhara. However, the specific video circulating recently does not relate to current conflicts in the region. Rather, it has been found to trace back to a more sinister past.
The video verification specialists at AFP Fact Check utilized the InVID-WeVerify tool to trace the origins of the footage. It turns out that a longer version—over 90 seconds—was first uploaded to a gruesome content site in June 2021, indicating that it showcases a massacre that occurred in the Tigray region, specifically during the Mahbere Dego incident in January 2021. In a content alert, the original post described the gruesome act of soldiers executing civilians, referencing the broader narrative of genocide in Tigray.
Further investigation by Bellingcat, a reputable independent reporting organization, corroborated the origins of the video. They confirmed through various screenshots that the disturbing imagery aligns with previous investigations covering the Mahbere Dego massacre. CNN also aired parts of the video shortly after Bellingcat’s findings, labeling it as evidence of systematic executions. Reports from BBC Africa Eye echoed similar investigative conclusions, widening the spectrum of documentation associated with this tragic event.
The previously ongoing conflict in Tigray, which involved the Ethiopian military and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), led to a staggering loss of life and numerous documented atrocities against civilians. Despite the peace agreement reached in Pretoria, South Africa, in November 2022, the landscape is far from stable. Thus, misinformation stemming from past events poses real threats and complicates the narrative around the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia.
In summary, a video currently circulating online is misrepresented as a recent execution in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. In fact, it originates from a massacre in Tigray dating back to January 2021. As the situation in Amhara continues to escalate, the spread of misinformation about such events underscores the need for careful examination of sources and content—especially in conflict-ridden regions. The historical weight and implications of these events call for responsible reporting and awareness of the truth.
Original Source: factcheck.afp.com
