On 31 March, during the Battle of Anchem, Fikremariam commanded the left wing of the Imperial Army.
[3][4] In 1936, during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Fitawrari Fikremariam commanded the Guard of Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen Tafari in Dessie.
[5] But, when Emperor Haile Selassie and what was left of the retreating Imperial Army approached Dessie after the Battle of Maychew, they were told that the Eritreans had already occupied the city.
In addition, the Emperor was told that, on 14 April, the Crown Prince had fled without a shot being fired.
[6] From about May 1936 to about October 1937, during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, Fikremariam fought as an Arbegnoch[nb 3] until his death.