October 7, 2016
Toronto – At least 70 civilians reportedly killed as violence exacerbates across many towns in the Oromia region of Ethiopia.
Cause for intensified popular revolt this week is related to the death of more than 678 Ethiopians in a stampede triggered by what politicians and opinion leaders describe as irresponsible and aggressive measure by the government during a religious festival in the town of Bishoftu.
Pro-government Fana broadcasting reported today that fifty districts in Oromia town were affected by popular revolt but calm returned in many towns.
On the contrary, ESAT ( US based Ethiopian News broadcaster) cited eye witnesses to report that at least 70 people have been killed in Arsi Negele town since yesterday. And the town is completely under Agazi forces.
Report by Amharic service of Voice of America confirms that popular revolt in many towns in Oromia region of Ethiopia continued this week.
Agazi, loyal forces of the ruling TPLF, are deployed in across hundreds of towns in Oromia region.
The death of 70 civilians in Arsi Negele seem to be, from ESAT report, a result of government instigated ethnic violence between Amhara and Oromo and Agazi forces operation to quell down popular protest in the town.
Similarly, the city of Dila in Southern Ethiopia experienced what seem to be orchestrated ethnic conflict. And the regime is behind it according to ESAT sources from the city. There has been intense gun fire in the city. The extent of causality in Dila is not known yet.
In the town of Holeta, just outside of west Addis Ababa, at least twenty people were reportedly killed a few days ago. During the protest in this town, a van carrying foreigners was attacked, allegedly by protesters,leaving an American citizen who is identified as Sharon Gray dead and another American injured. And there is visible skepticism that the attack on the van is possibly orchestrated by the regime in power. It is to be recalled that US government issued repeated travel advisories to its citizens travelling to Ethiopia since the outbreak of protest in Amhara and Oromia regions.
Despite intensified military action and rising death toll, defiance to the regime does not seem to go away. So far, no meaningful political measure is taken on the part of the ruling Tigray People Liberation Front and it is increasingly resorting to total military action against popular protest.
Cover Photo : file / source sii tube
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