Humera massacre (2020)

The Humera massacre refers to a series of events that took place in and around the town of Humera, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, in November 2020 during the early stages of the Tigray War. Reports and investigations from various sources, including human rights organizations and media outlets, allege widespread atrocities committed against Tigrayan civilians by Eritrean and Ethiopian forces, as well as Amhara militias.

These alleged atrocities included extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, looting, and indiscriminate shelling targeting civilian areas. The scale and nature of the violence have led some organizations to describe the events as a massacre.

Access to the region was severely restricted in the immediate aftermath of the conflict, hindering independent investigations and making it difficult to verify accounts and confirm the total number of casualties. However, numerous reports emerged from survivors and witnesses detailing the alleged abuses.

The Ethiopian and Eritrean governments have largely denied involvement in the reported atrocities, or downplayed their severity, attributing the violence to rogue elements or blaming the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the human rights violations and to hold perpetrators accountable. The Humera massacre remains a highly contentious and sensitive issue, with conflicting narratives and limited independent verification due to continued restrictions on access and information.