In a recent development, the Ethiopian government’s largest region, Oromiya, has pointed fingers at the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebel group for the deaths of numerous civilians following the breakdown of peace negotiations in Tanzania.
Residents informed media that no less than 36 individuals lost their lives in attacks on three villages situated in Oromiya’s Shirka district on November 24 and 27 by unidentified assailants.
Hailu Adugna, the spokesperson for the Oromiya region, attributed these assaults to the OLA, a faction that emerged from a previously outlawed opposition party which returned from exile in 2018.
“The terror group is committing brutal acts on civilians because it is now very anxious,” Hailu told the state news agency, adding that properties were also destroyed in the attacks.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from the OLA. Additionally, Federal government spokesman Legesse Tulu refrained from commenting on the matter.
Both the federal government and regional authorities in Oromiya have mobilized security forces to dislodge the rebels from their controlled territories, according to Hailu.
These recent assaults occurred shortly after unsuccessful talks between the government and the OLA in Tanzania aimed at resolving a long-standing conflict.
Reports from residents indicated that on November 24, seventeen people lost their lives in one village attack, and eleven more were killed in another village on the same day.
One farmer shared the tragic loss of seven family members, including his wife and son, in these attacks. Two other children sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment, as per the farmer.
“They targeted Orthodox Christians,” he mentioned.
In yet another attack on a third village in the region, eight individuals, including babies, lost their lives, as reported by residents, including a church leader.
