Armed militias reportedly killed 10 individuals in Bulen woreda, Metekel zone of Benishangul on August 26, 2021, according to residents interviewed by Addis Maleda. The militants targeted two public transit buses carrying 14 passengers from Chagni Town to Gilgel Beles, resulting in the deaths of seven men and three women. The whereabouts of the remaining four individuals remain unknown at the time of the report.
The report also highlighted that the armed men killed three members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force in Chagni. Eyewitnesses described one particular member being brutally murdered, while two others sustained injuries.
The report stated that an eyewitness identified the armed men as local militias entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the people. However, they betrayed their oath and turned their weapons against the very individuals they were supposed to safeguard.
Residents expressed frustration over the frequency of such incidents in their woreda, noting that people are losing their lives on a daily basis. They lamented the inability to transport severely wounded individuals to healthcare facilities as the ongoing conflict has led to road closures.
Furthermore, the report quoted residents questioning why members of the national defense force are not providing adequate protection against such violence. They raised concerns that it appears as if the forces are in collusion with the militants. The lack of government intervention has emboldened the militias and hindered the community from accessing essential services such as healthcare.
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