Children and the elderly among those killed after unknown assailants targeted Christians in separate attacks. Dozens have reportedly lost their lives.
The government has blamed the OLA-Shene armed group for the attacks but the group has denied the accusations. The attacks came days after efforts to bring peace between the group and the government ended without a success. Both parties traded accusations for the failure of the peace talks.
In attacks at the end of last month in the region’s Arsi zone, Shirka district at least 36 followers of the Orthodox Christian faith group were killed after armed men launched targeted attacks, according to residents who spoke to the Voice of America. The attacks were carried out in two days, according to the residents.
A farmer told Reuters that seven members of his family including his wife and son were killed.
A statement from the region’s communication office said the death toll was 27. The armed group OLA-Shene, which is designated by the Ethiopian parliament as a terror group, carried out the attacks after in response to government offensives, the statement added.
Another attack in Kellem Wollega zone’s Gidami districts nine people were killed after unknown gunmen attacked an Evangelical Church. The victims were said to be attending an overnight prayer session.
Witnesses told the BBC that none of the victims had any political affiliations.
Recent weeks are witnessing an increase in violence in Oromia with the government vowing to intensify its offensives against the armed group. Clashes and drone strike are reported and with that there’s growing concern for civilians.
