Over 300 killed in ethnic massacre in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa: More than 300 people were killed in the ethnic violence in the western part of the Oromia province of Ethiopia. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed shared the information that these people were killed in the violence in the Kelem Olega region in the Oromia province on Monday. The Ethiopian government accused Oromo Liberation Army, an organisation that declared a terrorist outfit, of having a hand in the attack. The killed citizens are from the Amhara community. This is the second major massacre in the Oromia province in the last 15 days.

The information regarding the incident was received from the local administration and eyewitnesses. The massacre was carried out in the Mender 20 village in the Hawa Galen district in the Kelem Volega province at about six in the morning on Monday. The Oromo Liberation Army attacked the village and targeted houses and agricultural farms. The villagers who survived the attack informed that help arrived after the attackers left and the counting of corpses continued. Eyewitnesses said that 300 bodies were counted in front of them.

Moreover, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed posted information regarding the attack on social media. By saying that a terrorist group has targeted innocent citizens and warned of strong action to finish the terrorist group. An action has been started in this region, and the government claimed that the terrorists perpetrated the massacre, infuriated with the action. Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and Amhara Association of America have confirmed the reports of the massacre.

Although accusations are being levelled against the Oromo Liberation Army regarding the attack, the group has denied responsibility for the attack. The spokesman of the Oromo Liberation Army claimed that the Ethiopian military and supporting armed groups carried out the attack. This is the second major massacre in the last 15 days. 300 people had been killed in the attack carried out by the Oromo Liberation Army in the Toley region.

Abiy Ahmed, who took over the reins of Ethiopia four years ago, had promised to find a solution to the ethnic conflict. But in reality, ethnic violence seems to be freshly flaring up in Ethiopia.