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By Siyanne Mekonnen @Siyaanne
Addis Ababa, December 9, 2020 – Benishangul Gumuz state regional communications office announced that regional state security forces have begun to take “decisive action” against armed groups accused of killing civilians in the Meteke area of the region.
According to Melese Beyene, head of the Office of Communication Affairs of the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State Government, although the deadline set for the surrender of these armed groups has ended on December 8, no member of the armed groups in the area has has yielded. The regional state blames these armed groups for being associated and supported by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Oromo Liberation Army (ALA), a separatist armed faction of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).
Melese further said that members of the national defense forces, the regional state’s counterterrorism task force, special forces and members of the regional militia were coordinating the measures and were determined to take “a decisive measure once and for all.” .
It should be recalled that on December 2, Ashadli Hassan, president of the Benishangul Gumuz regional state, issued a one-week ultimatum to the armed “anti-peace” groups operating in the Metekel area “to surrender”. He said that these armed forces, whom he accused of having the support of the TPLF, were committed to destabilizing the region.
In related news, Yesterday, the Amhara Media Agency (AMMA) reported that there has been a new round of attack against civilians who were harvesting their crops in Debate Wereda that left more than 10 people dead. “Residents of the Metekel Zone, Dabate Woreda and surrounding areas reported that OLF Shenie and other anti-peace forces brutally killed people,” said AMMA, adding that the attack was staged when residents “began to collect their crops together; they were surrounded by armed forces of the forest [who] brutally killed more than 10 innocent people. Debate residents said they are still in a state of panic because the situation is terrible, ”said AMMA.
Melese Beyene was quoted as saying that “a special order has been issued to the army, the regional special force, the federal police and the local militia to guarantee stability in the area. He said that the Benishangul-Gumuz regional state is aware that the OLF militants are active in the neighboring kebeles of Albasa, Korka, Muzen, Senbosre, Galisa and neighboring Bullen Woredas, ”reported AMMA.
The attack on Debate Wereda came a day after the Amhara Regional State Commissioner, Commissioner Abere Adamu, announced that the Amhara Regional State Police was asking the federal government to be held accountable or the federal government to intervene. in the Benishagul Gumz region. State to stabilize the growing security crisis in the Metekel area of the region and ensure the safety of civilians. AS
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