An armed group killed nine civilians and kidnapped four in Metekel, Benishangul Gumuz, as reported by The Reporter. The violence began when the armed group opened fire on a bus traveling from Glgel Beles to Chagni and continued for three days until November 3, 2021. In Addition, the group raided the cattle belonging to local farmers. The region’s Peace-building and Security Bureau stated that Gumuz militias were responsible for the attack.
Initially, authorities acknowledged the death of civilians but did not disclose the confirmed number of casualties. However, according to Addis Standard, on November 14, 2021, the head of the region’s security bureau announced that they had eliminated 20 individuals who were believed to have killed at least 34 civilians.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission also reported a minimum of 34 people killed, with the possibility of the number increasing as there were reports of attacks in Wubgish, Yamp, and Kidoh woredas. Addis Standard added that the victims were mainly from the ethnic Oromo and Shinasha communities residing in the area.
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