Ethiopian authorities have arrested people connected to "the security crisis in Amhara", a day after imposing a state of emergency on the northern region following clashes between local fighters and federal troops.
The fresh unrest in Africa's second-most populous country comes just nine months after the end of a devastating two-year war in the neighbouring region of Tigray which also drew in fighters from Amhara.
The government said Friday that the emergency measures would cover Amhara "for six months" but could be imposed "nationwide in relation to an y situation or movement that aggravates the security problem".
Tensions have been rising since April when the federal government announced it was dismantling regional forces across Ethiopia, triggering protests by Amhara nationalists who said the move would weaken their region.
Clashes in Amhara have escalated in recent weeks, prompting travel warnings from foreign governments and the grounding of flights, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office on Friday saying emergency measures were needed "to control this unacceptable movement".
On Saturday, the government communications service said those who "exacerbate the security crisis... (and engage in) various acts of destruction have been arrested", without giving details about the number of detainees or the timing of the arrests.
According to the emergency decree, anyone found violating its provisions could face "imprisonment of between three to ten years".
The decree also allows for suspects to be searched and held without a warrant.
Local fighters from Amhara's Fano militia have taken control of three towns in the region, residents told AFP.
According to residents of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its 12th and 13th century rock-cut churches, Fano fighters took over the town and its airport earlier this week.
The mood was similarly tense in the cities of Gondar and Dessie, locals told AFP.
National carrier Ethiopian Airlines has cancelled flights to Dessie, Lalibela and Gondar.
