Intelligence and Security Task Force of Ethiopia arrested over 100 in connection with alleged terror plot targeting the capital Addis Ababa and some other cities in the oromo region of Ethiopia
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Intelligence and Security Task Force on Monday said that it had foiled a planned terror attack, and arrested members of the terrorist group who were about to carry out the terror plan. The terrorists in custody are described as members of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – Shane and Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
Earlier this month, the Ethiopian parliament designated those organizations as terrorist organizations.
The OLF -Shane group mostly operates in the Oromo region of Ethiopia. However, in early April it launched a massive and organized attack in north central Ethiopia invading several cities including Ataye, which was entirely destroyed. The attack was reportedly reversed after the Federal and regional governments deployed forces to the region.
Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly three decades until it lost the power struggle in the Federal government in April 2018.
On November 4, 2020, it launched a massive surprise attack on several bases of the Northern Command of the Ethiopian Defense Forces. After losing a war, the TPLF is mainly operating as a guerrilla force in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Addis Ababa and some cities in the Oromo region of Ethiopia were primary targets of the alleged terror attack, the task force. They were also aiming for large scale property damages. According to the task force, they were arrested as they were about to launch the terror attack.
The objective was to create chaos in pursuit of clandestine political goals. The task force also said that the group is supported by what it called internal and external anti-peace forces.
Over 300,000 US dollars and over 2 million Ethiopian birr that was meant for conducting the terror attack is seized in Addis Ababa Bole Airport and “other areas,” the Task Force added. Satellite phones fitted with Solar are also recovered.
OLF -Shane deployed “Aba Torbe” killing squad targeting key infrastructure, prominent figures, government officials.
Furthermore, individuals who were trying to distribute explosives and other forms of firearms are arrested. Among those whose names are disclosed are, Abdissa Tafa Qocholte, Ebsa Terefa, Alemayehu Waqo. Rabira Wirtu Mosissa, Dereje Dughassa Hordofa, Wondwossen Megra, Abera Muleta, Lelisa Adamu, Mule Seyome and Abraham Abu are the suspects in custody.
There are also those who are given a terror mission in Jimma, and the task force disclosed names. Iyasu Lema , Kalid Seid, Abdella Aba Belay, Seifu Belay and Negassa Kenesa.
The total number of suspects in custody are 71, according to a report by the Ethiopian News Agency.
15 other individuals living abroad are suspected of supporting the terror group with finance and the task force said that it is working with the authorities of unspecified countries to hold them accountable.
With regard to the TPLF, the Task Force claimed that it has deployed a death squad, Kibrit, in the region’s major cities and in the capital Addis Ababa too.
General Fisseha Manjus and Kahsay Wodi Mgulat ( U.S. resident), Teklay and Ataklti (Holland residents), Takele (UK resident), Tesfay Neguse and Seyfe Ambaye, residents of Sweden and South Sudan respectively, are implicated in the terror plot.
32 individuals who were allegedly coordinating logistics and finance for the TPLF, now designated as terrorist organization, are also in custody – as claimed by the Task Force.
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