brealomg NEWS 

FEBRUARY 14, 2017



 

 There are very high tensions between the Oromo and Somali regions.

On February 14, 2017, the Oromo militia crossed into Liban Zone in an attempt to take over Dheeka Softu district headquarters and the Odda Diima location. However, they were intercepted at Dheeka field before they reached their target and heavy fighting ensued. According to information received, 40 Oromo fighters were killed and 53 wounded militias were brought to Nagele hospital from Dheeka Suftu field. Also, 29 fighters were killed from the other side as well. In addition, 25 Oromo soldiers and 5 other fighters were killed near Odda Diima. Over 100 people have been killed in the above-mentioned fighting and most of those killed were soldiers from both sides.

The federal government officials including prime minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn have been trying to defuse tensions between the two regional administrations, but the Oromo regional state administration has undermined the government’s attempts to solve the dispute between the two regions on issues relating to the border demarcation between the two regions. From what started as a feud between neighboring clans, the Oromo region has created what appears to be a full-fledged war between the Oromo and Somali regional states of Ethiopia. According to information received from Nagele, Guji Zone, the Oromo region has begun mobilizing their militias in order to wage war against the Somali region citizens living in the Liban Zone.

We will let you know as soon as more information becomes available.

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