The National Defense Forces said fourteen members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an armed group designated as a terror organization, have been killed in operations in Oromia region.
In a statement posted on Facebook the Defence Forces said measures were taken against members of the group in South Western Shewa, Sebeta, Hawas and Qersa Malima areas. The measures were taken by the Republican Guard unit, according to the statement.
The OLA, often referred by the government as Shene, has not responded to the remarks made by the army as of the publication of this article.
Reports indicate that there had also been clashes in recent days in the region’s Horro Guduru Wolega Zone.
The news comes as much-hoped-for peace talks, hosted by Tanzania, fail to bear fruit. The talks were facilitated by the US and Norwegian governments. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a group of eight East African countries, was involved in the process. The group said it was still optimistic that the two parties would get together for another round of talks.
With the talks failing to materialize, there are concerns that violence, and the suffering of civilians, could increase.
