By Staff Writer
NAIROBI, Kenya – A large-scale coordinated attack has shaken multiple kebeles in the Asoko district of East Arsi Zone since early yesterday morning, with residents and eyewitnesses reporting heavy clashes and widespread displacement. The assault, which began around 3:00 AM, marks a significant escalation in the area, which had already experienced a deadly attack weeks ago that drew media attention.
A large-scale coordinated attack has shaken multiple kebeles in the Asoko district of East Arsi Zone since early yesterday morning, with residents and eyewitnesses reporting heavy clashes and widespread displacement. The attack started around 3:00 AM and marked a significant escalation of violence in the area, which had already seen a deadly attack a few weeks ago that got a lot of media attention.
Eyewitnesses say the fighting first started in Bio kebele and then quickly moved to other places like Chefe, Erecha Michael, Lengcha Oda, the Berarti forest area, Kwas Dire, Dibu, Sunt Maryam, and Weranbus.So far, at least four people have died, but people are worried the number could be much higher.
Local residents report that the attack was carried out by heavily armed militants numbering in the thousands, with the apparent objective of completely displacing the local population and looting property within a matter of days. The scale of the assault has sparked concern among community members, who say they feel abandoned by security forces.
Some people are also accusing local officials and community leaders of taking away the weapons that people used to protect themselves. Others say that local leaders may be working with the militants. One local person told Meseret media that officials are going from village to village, taking phones and threatening people to stop them from sharing news.
The situation is made worse by the presence of about 75 federal police officers who had set up a base near the historic Geleta Gabriel Church, which was burned down a month ago.Witnesses say the militants avoided these security forces easily, which shows that the security efforts are not effective. Since last night, phone networks in the area have been cut off, meaning people can’t talk to the rest of the country. This new attack happens in a time of high tension in Oromia, where armed groups have been getting more active.
East Arsi Zone has been a place of repeated violence, with local people caught between the militants and security forces that aren’t doing a good job of keeping control.The attack on places like the Geleta Gabriel Church has made the situation even worse, as it threatens the area’s cultural and religious history. Now, people in the area are asking for help urgently, warning that without quick action from federal security forces, the region could face a major humanitarian disaster.
Residents are now issuing desperate appeals for immediate intervention, warning that without urgent action from federal security forces, the region faces the prospect of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. “The situation is extremely dire. If the security forces do not intervene urgently to stop these attacks, we fear a major human rights catastrophe,” a resident said. With communication cut off and residents fleeing for their lives, the full extent of the damage and casualties remains unknown, while thousands are believed to be internally displaced with no access to food, shelter, or medical care.
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