Ethiopia: At Least 48 Civilians Killed in Weekend Attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia Region, Once Again

Addis Abeba - At least 48 people have been killed and more than 31 others wounded, some severely, in attacks by armed men in Chole and Birbo kebeles of Shirka Woreda, Arsi Zone, in southeastern Oromia, residents who attended the victims' mass funeral told Addis Standard , describing door-to-door killings, looting and the use of heavy weapons.

The attacks began on Saturday, 24 October evening, and continued into Sunday morning, 25 October, according to the residents. They said the victims included women, elderly people and at least six children under the age of 15, with many of those killed reportedly followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

"Armed men were going door to door shooting and stabbing civilians," one resident said, describing how local residents who had organized nighttime neighborhood watches were overwhelmed by heavily armed attackers carrying AK-47 rifles and other weapons.