Scores of Civilians killed in New Attack in Western Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA – Scores of civilians have been killed in the Western Wollega zone on Tuesday, according to Oromia regional state’s government.

In a statement Wednesday, the Regional Government said the attack was carried out by Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – Shene, an armed group that splintered from the OLF, in Babo Gambel district of the Zone.

Police later confirmed the death of at least 28 civilians including 12 women while 12 others sustained injuries.

“We are deeply saddened by the atrocities that occurred on the lives of our citizens on the day,” said the region in a statement.

Members of security have responded instantly after the attack and managed to partly destroy the militants involved in the attack, the region said.

Authorities in the region accused the militant group of working to disintegrate Ethiopia in collaboration with the defunct Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) – a former ruling party in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region.

They vowed to take more action against the group and inform the public accordingly.