The authorities in Ethiopia’s largest region, Oromiya, asserted on Saturday that the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebel group was responsible for the loss of numerous civilian lives in attacks that ensued after the breakdown of peace negotiations in Tanzania.
Tragically, a minimum of 36 lives were lost in attacks on three villages within Oromiya’s Shirka district on November 24 and 27, as reported by residents to the media.
Hailu Adugna, the spokesperson for the Oromiya region, attributed responsibility for the attacks to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a prohibited faction stemming from a previously outlawed opposition party that reemerged from exile in 2018.
The OLA has yet to issue a prompt response, and Legesse Tulu, the federal government spokesperson, remains unresponsive to requests for comment.
Hailu stated that the federal government and Oromiya regional authorities have activated security teams to drive out the rebels from their held territories.