Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis Standard
Published on 2024-02-23 08:41:07
After three days of fierce gun battles between the Ethiopian government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in the Hidhabu Abote district of the North Shoa zone, Oromia region, reports from residents indicate that 15 civilians were killed and over ten others were injured.
According to an anonymous resident and educator from Ejere town in the district, seven civilians lost their lives and many others were injured during the clashes in Ejere town from early morning until 7 pm on Sunday, 18 February 2024. The casualties included Hora Tufaa (70 years old), Dhekeba Redo (25 years old), and Tamiru Bayana (23 years old). Other casualties were identified as Teferi Asefa Gari, a father of five, Teferi Teshome Werke, a 12th-grade student, and Araga Teshome, another father of five.
The resident stated that residents were not allowed to go outside during the clashes, and they only saw the bodies of the victims after the fighting stopped. This suggests that the civilians may have been caught in the crossfires during the intense gun battles.
Another local resident who wished to remain anonymous reported that eight other people were killed during the fighting in an adjacent village called Lalu. Heavy weapon sounds were heard during the fighting in this village. The conflict in the Hidhabu Abote district mainly impacted the villages of Kobe Gode and Lalu and began on Thursday last week and continued through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The wounded have been receiving treatment at the hospital in Fiche, a major town in the North Shoa zone. The residents highlighted the continued disruption of essential services such as healthcare facilities, schools, transportation, and markets in the district. They expressed concern about the ongoing security situation, particularly the reports of violence occurring in rural areas within the district.
The clashes in the district are part of a militarized conflict that has been ongoing for more than five years in the Oromia region. Two rounds of attempts to peacefully resolve the conflict have been unsuccessful.
The scale of civilian casualties in the recent clashes is unprecedented, and the disruption of essential services is a cause for concern. The residents of the Hidhabu Abote district are facing ongoing security challenges, and reports of violence in rural areas are exacerbating the situation.
The impact of the conflict on the lives of civilians in the district cannot be understated. Essential services are disrupted, and the loss of innocent lives is a tragedy. The Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Army must consider the well-being of civilians and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the region.
The situation in the Hidhabu Abote district is a grim reminder of the humanitarian toll of armed conflict. The international community must pay attention to the plight of civilians in conflict-affected areas and support efforts to bring about peace and stability in the region. Protecting the lives and well-being of civilians must be a priority for all parties involved in the conflict.
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