The victims have been identified as Aba Tekle Mariam Asra, the head of the monastery; Aba Kidane Mariam Tilahun, the secretary; Aba Gebre Mariam Abebe, the educator of religious texts and a priest; and Hailermariam Wondesenet, a member of the monastery.

The Church has confirmed that the attack was carried out by the Oromo Liberation Army (also known as Shene). According to Church sources, the group had previously kidnapped members of the monastery. While the Church was in the process of negotiating their release, more clergy were taken, and four of the hostages were later found among the dead.

Source

BBC Amharic

The post Four Ethiopian Orthodox Monks Killed in Zikuala appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

Civilians have been victims of violence in various parts of the Oromia region. The EHRC has been gathering information from September 11, 2021, to November 9, 2021, interviewing 58 people, including victims’ families, in nine zones.

According to the report, civilians were targeted by both the government and armed groups, each accusing them of supporting the other side. Members of federal defense forces and Oromia Special Forces unlawfully killed 52 individuals, claiming these people were either members of or provided information to armed groups. Conversely, members of the Oromo Liberation Army attacked civilians, accusing them of withholding support, having family members in government forces, or sympathizing with the government. The EHRC indicates that the Oromo Liberation Army, also known as Shene, killed 13 people. An informal armed group of Amhara also killed 29 people in Oromia.

In addition to the killings and physical injuries, people in Oromia have been subjected to kidnappings and displacements. The EHRC called for an investigation into the impact of the conflict on civilians and compensation for victims.

Source:

BBC News Amharic

The post Government Forces and Armed Militias Killed 94 People in Oromia appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

In Merhawi, security forces arrested and unlawfully killed an unconfirmed number of people, claiming they were supporters of Fano. Witnesses told the EHRC that government forces killed 18 people who had taken shelter in one location when fighting suddenly broke out around them. Additionally, the forces killed eight people, alleging they did not cooperate in the search for a missing security force member. They also burned 12 rickshaws, known as bajajs, that day.

On January 19, 2024, government forces killed 15 civilians and injured two in Shebel Berenta Woreda of the East Gojam Zone. The security forces killed civilians they encountered during house searches and on the street after Fano fighters had already left the town.

On January 6, 2024, security forces conducting security canvassing killed 6 civilians, taking them out of their houses.

The EHRC has called for an immediate end to the unlawful killings and urged for sustainable solutions through peaceful discussions. The EHRC director also called for those who committed the atrocities to be held accountable.

Source:

• Addis Maleda
• Alain

The post Government Forces Killed Over 65 Civilians in Merhawi, Shebel Berenta, and Kuwarit appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

Heavy weapons and, at times, airstrikes have been used in the conflict. EHRC pointed out several incidents as examples:

• On October 16, 2023, a government drone strike killed several civilians, including a 1-year and 7-month-old baby, in Berehet Woreda of North Shoa Zone. Many people were also injured.
• On October 19, 2023, a drone strike in Debre Markos town killed eight civilians.
• Eyewitnesses told EHRC that civilians were killed and injured in Dembecha town on October 14, 2023, due to the use of heavy weapons.

The report indicated that thousands of residents have been displaced, fleeing the conflicts. Over 3,000 residents of Minjar Woreda, Awra Godana locality, took refuge at a school in Amora Bete Kebele. An unconfirmed number of people have also been displaced from Metehara, Awash, and other areas.

EHRC gathered evidence showing that government forces have been unlawfully arresting and killing civilians, accusing them of supporting or providing information to Fano. The security forces also demanded that civilians give them arms and information on Fano. The report highlights incidents where government forces killed civilians during house-tohouse searches:

• On October 10 and 11, 2023, many civilians, including three brothers, were killed in Bahir Dar.
• On October 10, 2023, security forces killed 12 student residents of Filseta Debre Mariam Church in North Gojam.
• On October 14, 2023, security forces killed at least eight civilians in Amanual town of East Gojam.
• On September 29, 2023, security forces stopped a family taking a wounded youth to a hospital. They killed the injured individual along with the four family members, claiming the youth was injured fighting them.

EHRC also reported the targeting and killing of government officials by armed forces. On October 9, 2023, regional officials, including a member of the Amhara regional council, were ambushed while traveling from Bahir Dar to Debre Tabor.

Additionally, EHRC disclosed an alarming number of sexual violence cases against women, including those in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and female health workers. At least 200 rapes were recorded from July 2023 to October 2023.

Source:

• Addis Maleda

The post Several Civilians Killed in Drone Strikes in Amhara Region appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

According to the report, the UN is concerned about the situation in the Amhara region and the implementation of the state of emergency declared following the start of fighting between Fano militias and government forces.

The report indicated that the state of emergency granted authorities the power to detain individuals, impose a curfew, and ban public gatherings without any court warrant. Consequently, over 100 people have been arrested, many of whom are ethnic Amhara perceived as supporters of Fano.

In Addition, at least three journalists who reported on the conflict in Amhara have been detained. The UN urged the government to stop mass arrests, lift restrictions on individual freedoms, and release detainees. The government was requested to ensure that international rules and regulations are respected.

The UN report also highlighted the mass arrests of over 250 ethnic Tigrayans in the contentious areas of western Tigray. It also highlighted widespread human rights violations and concerning crime in the Oromia region. The UN called for an independent investigation into human rights violations across the country and for those responsible to be held accountable.

Source:

Addis Maleda

The post Over 183 People Killed in the Amhara Region  appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

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.

Source

BBC Amharic

The post Government Forces killed Civilians in Western Oromia appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

Residents reported that gunmen ambushed three individuals in Beche Kebele and another three in Didi Kebele between 8:00 and 9:00 PM, before fleeing the area.

In a separate incident on July 4, 2023, five more people were killed. According to Addis Maleda, the victims included three students who were preparing for a national exam, as well as a mother and her child. The perpetrators remain unidentified.

The report suggests that the violence is likely tied to ongoing tensions between the Meskan and Mareko communities. The security situation has significantly disrupted daily life, with most government offices remaining closed and public services stalled as employees stay home due to safety concerns.

Source

Addis Maleda 07/04/2023

Addis Maleda 07/25/2023

The post Eleven Civilians Killed in Guraghe Zone appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

Eyewitnesses told the BBC that the attackers were from a nearby camp housing former fighters who had reportedly surrendered their weapons after a recent peace deal with the government. The Bode Democratic Party also confirmed that an armed group affiliated with the Gumuz People’s Democratic Movement was responsible for the attack on civilians.

According to eyewitness reports, members of the Gumuz People’s Democratic Movement are frequently seen in town carrying heavy weaponry and sometimes acting with the authority of the government.

This group has been involved in repeated violent incidents in the past, resulting in numerous deaths and displacements. While the situation had appeared to improve following a government agreement with the group and the partial disarmament of its members, the latest attack marks a return to violence.

Source:

BBC News Amharic

The post Gunmen Killed at Least 18 in Benishangul appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.

The first protest was on May 26, 2023, at the Grand Anwar Mosque where two people were killed during clashes between protesters and law enforcement. Thirty-seven police officers and 15 other law enforcement personnel were injured. Authorities detained over 110 individuals accused of inciting violence.

A second protest followed on June 2, 2023, at the same mosque, leading to the deaths of two more individuals and injuries to others, including 63 police officers. Eyewitnesses reported that the police opened fire on protesters, who responded by throwing stones.

The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council reported that 19 mosques had been demolished in Sheger City at the time of the protests.

Source

The post 5 People Killed and Over 100 Arrested in Protests Against Mosque Demolitions appeared first on Ethiopia Watch.