Authorities had imposed restrictions, including a curfew and curbs on movement in five cities in Amhara, earlier this week following the protests over moves to integrate regional military forces into the federal army or regional police.

On Thursday, a resident of Bahir Dar, the region's administrative capital, told AFP that transport had resumed in the city.

"Today is peaceful. Banks are open and shops are starting to open," he told AFP on condition of anonymity.

A resident of Debre Birhan, where authorities imposed curbs on Monday, told AFP in a text message that "everything is calm".

Another resident based in Amhara's most populous city Gondar said the situation was peaceful on Thursday, as Ethiopians prepare for the Orthodox Easter holiday.

It was not possible to independently confirm the situation on the ground in Amhara, as the region is restricted to journalists for what the authorities say are security reasons.

The violence erupted after the government announced plans to dismantle unconstitutional military forces established by some states to protect their interests in Africa's second-most populous nation.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission on Wednesday reported "deaths and physical injuries to civilians including relief aid organisation workers", adding that the casualties were due to "measures taken by security forces and as well as attacks by... unidentified people".

"The relevant authorities have to solve the issue by dialogue and consensus," it said.

Humanitarian charity Catholic Relief Services (CRS) said two of its staff were shot dead at the weekend in Amhara, but did not elaborate on whether the attacks were connected to the protests.

Amhara forces were essential allies to the federal army during the two-year war in the neighbouring Tigray region, which ended with a peace agreement in November.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Sunday that the initiative to dismantle the regional forces was for the sake of multi-ethnic Ethiopia's "unity" and warned that law enforcement measures would be taken against any "destructive" opposition.

The National Movement of Amhara, a local opposition group, has described the move to disarm the special forces as "completely irresponsible" and a threat to regional security.

On Thursday the AMC media outlet, affiliated with the Amhara regional government led by Abiy's party, said members of the special forces in the South Wollo administrative zone had "gratefully" agreed to be reassigned "to the police, prison service or other institutions."

They "stressed that claims of dismantling the Amhara forces were the result of misinformation" and said "the government's decision to reorganize the regional forces for greater efficiency was the right one," according to AMC, echoing the message that has been coming from Addis Ababa for several days.

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