Several civilians were killed by government security forces in various parts of the West Shoa Zone of Oromia Region on August 11, 2023, according to a report by BBC Amharic.
Ato Ararsa, a survivor from Chobi Woreda, told the BBC that a member of the National Defence Force entered his home and opened fire on his family, who were gathered for a coffee ceremony. Six people were killed in the incident, including his son Kereyou Ararsa, daughter-in-law Desta Lemesa, sister Tiru Yadesa, in-law Dugasa Megarasa, and two farm workers, Gurme Jifara and Abera Jifara. Ararsa himself was shot in the leg. Only he and one other youth survived the attack.
Although the West Shoa Zone has a known presence of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which is engaged in armed conflict with the federal government, Ararsa said he witnessed no clashes or incidents in the area that could justify such an attack.
In a separate incident, Ato Furgasa was reportedly killed by security forces on August 12, 2023, while herding cattle in Haro Dega, a locality in Jeldu Woreda. Family members confirmed there was no apparent security threat that could have prompted the killing.
Both the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) have condemned the actions of government forces in the region. In a press release, the OLF claimed that security forces killed civilians and conducted mass arrests and looting across several woredas—including Ambo, Chobi, Dano, Ginde Beret, Elu Gelan, Liben Jawi, and Mida Kegni—on August 8, 9, and 11, 2023. The OFC reported that 11 people were killed in what appeared to be retaliatory operations by government forces.
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