One of the victims is said to be a 70-year-old man, and there were elderly women among them
Borkena
Toronto – Nine civilians were reportedly killed in the Arsi zone of the Oromia region, Ethiopia, in the latest massacre to occur in the area. The victims are said to be members of the same family and their relatives.
The incident was first reported by the Enat Party, an opposition political party, on Friday. Later, BBC Amharic also covered the story.
According to the Enat Party, the attack occurred in Sherka district, specifically in the Soole Ferenda and Soole Tuja kebeles (counties), on the night of November 28, around 2 a.m.
The bodies of the victims were discovered after the attack.
Residents in the area have reportedly accused the “Jungle Shene” of carrying out the attack. They spoke about it with certainty. The Ethiopian government and the Oromia regional state refer to the militant ethnic Oromo nationalist group operating in the region as “Shene,” though the group is also alleged to operate within the government structure in the area.
The victims were reportedly taken from their homes to a riverside, where they were forced to lie down before being shot to death.
The Enat Party stated that it has obtained the names of the victims, which include two elderly men over 70 years of age and an elderly woman.
In addition to the killings, civilians were reportedly abducted, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
“Based on our party’s verification, in addition to those killed, Ato Genene Tekaligne, Teacher Kassahun Eshetu, Ato Abebe Assega, and Ato Shiberu Assefa were abducted, and their whereabouts and conditions remain unknown,” the party said in a statement released on Friday.
Earlier in the week, the Enat Party reported that two civilians were killed and eight others abducted, citing accounts from local residents.
The massacre took place within a three-kilometer radius of a Defense Force military camp in the area. However, there was no reported effort by government forces to prevent the attack by the militant group operating in the region.
Residents who spoke to the Enat Party expressed frustration, saying, “It is not too late now. At least we should be able to collect the bodies and bury them. The security apparatus must also work to secure the release of those abducted.” After the party released a statement about the incident, a video footage purportedly showing the funeral ceremony of the victims was circulating on social media.
The Enat Party argues that killings will continue as long as there is no accountability. It emphasized that both the gunmen and the government bear equal responsibility for the massacre of civilians and called for restraint to prevent actions that could lead to a multifaceted crisis in the country.
The Ethiopian government and the Oromia regional state have not commented on the latest killings in Arsi, as has been the case with most massacres in the region.
There have been massacres in Arsi for more than five years now. The victims are mostly ethnic Amhara and the followers of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church – suggesting that the killings are also motivated by hate towards the Orthodox Church.
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What worrying me most for decades about the old country has been conflicts triggered by savage killings of innocent civilians for professing either the two major religions. If they are victimized just because they are Christians, they can be Amharas, Oromos, Tigres and many other ethnic ethnic groups. If they are targeted because they are Muslims, they can be Amharas, Oromos, Tigres and from many other ethnic groups. So, if one religion is targeted, the victims can be from a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. That is until now under control by the dwindling but effective social fabric. It is like a nuclear bomb no one wants to see it explode. But it is what these bigots and connivers sensing their ultimate failure are doing everything at their disposal to ignite. Their final conviction is ‘If Oromia is not mine, the hell with it; If Amhara or Tigray is not mine, the hell with; If Ethiopia is not mine, the hell with it.’ It has been a nightmare for me for decades.
What worrying me most for decades about the old country have been conflicts triggered by savage killings of innocent civilians for professing either the two major religions. If they are victimized just because they are Christians, they can be Amharas, Oromos, Tigres and many other ethnic groups. If they are targeted because they are Muslims, they can be Amharas, Oromos, Tigres and from many other ethnic groups. So, if one religion is targeted, the victims can be from a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. That until now is under control by the dwindling but effective social fabric. It is like a nuclear bomb no one wants to see it explode. But it is what these bigots and connivers sensing their ultimate failure are doing everything at their disposal to ignite. Their final conviction is ‘If Oromia is not mine, the hell with it; If Amhara or Tigray is not mine, the hell with; If Ethiopia is not mine, the hell with it.’ It has been a nightmare for me for decades.
Dear Editors,
I posted my comment above twice by accident. Please remove the first one and let the 2nd one ride.
I apologize for taking unnecessary space.
Thanks a lot.
It is understandable. GOAT commentator is allowed to take spaces .