Debre Zebit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Debre Zebit
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 Debre Zebit
Location in Ethiopia
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| Country | Ethiopia |
| Region | Amhara Region |
| Zone | Semien Wollo Zone |
| Elevation | 2,928 m (9,606 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Debre Zebit (which means "Mount of Olives" in Amharic) is a small village in northern Ethiopia. It is located in the Semien Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region. The village is about 240 kilometres north of Addis Ababa, the capital city.
Debre Zebit sits high up, at an elevation of 2928 meters (about 9,606 feet) above sea level. This makes it a very elevated place! It is one of three towns found in the Meket area, called a woreda in Ethiopia. As of 2005, the exact number of people living in Debre Zebit was not officially recorded.
History of Debre Zebit
A Major Battle in the 20th Century
Debre Zebit was the site of an important historical event. On March 31, 1930, a big battle took place here. It was called the Battle of Anchem.
This battle was fought between two powerful groups. One side was led by Ras Tafari, who later became the Emperor of Ethiopia. His forces had about 20,000 riflemen, 6 cannons, and 30 machine guns. They were commanded by a general named Dejazmach Mulugeta Yeggazu.
The other side was led by Ras Gugsa Welle. His forces had about 10,000 riflemen, 2 cannons, and 10 machine guns. In the end, Ras Gugsa Welle was defeated and died in the battle. This event was a key moment in Ethiopian history.
Recent Times: The Tigray War
More recently, Debre Zebit was affected by the Tigray War. Around August 15, 2021, during this conflict, the Tigray Defense Forces took control of the town for a few days.
