While Amhara Region security forces also played a significant role during the war, Amhara was similarly not included in the negotiations.[1] In the early months of the conflict, Amhara regional forces took control of Tigray's Western Zone – an area that was the source of long-term, intense dispute between Amhara and Tigray[48][49] – and proceeded to commit what was described as an ethnic cleansing of Tigrayans in the area.[50] The TPLF previously stated that the return of the Western Zone to Tigrayan control was a "non-negotiable" prerequisite to peace.[51] National Movement of Amhara founder Dessalegn Chanie Dagnew[6] and advocacy group Amhara Association of America both welcomed news of the agreement, but also expressed opposition to any potential territorial concessions to Tigray.[7]