Eight civilians were killed, and several others were injured on June 25, 2018, in Assosa, the capital of the Benishangul region, as reported by Wazema, citing hospital sources. Residents, who were interviewed by Wazema, stated that youth from the Berta ethnic group had been launching attacks on members of other ethnic groups and looting their properties.
According to the residents, local police were unsuccessful in stopping the youth, and when the community attempted to confront them, the police opened fire, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The residents also mentioned that the youth had previously provoked the community by chanting “habesha out.” In addition, masked individuals had been assaulting people in the town the week prior.
The situation began to calm down after the arrival of the federal army in the town on June 27, 2018. Ato Tofik Abdulkeyoum, the head of the town’s municipality, informed Wazema that three people were killed, one person was seriously injured, and four sustained minor injuries. He confirmed that 40 suspects had been arrested. According to him, discussions are being held between elders, religious leaders, and the youth in an attempt to address the situation.
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