BBC Amharic – At least 16 drivers killed by militants in one day in West Gonder
- AAA-admin
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from BBC Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
BBC Amharic – At least 16 drivers killed by militants in one day in West Gonder
June 27, 2025 (Sene 20, 2017 E.C.)
At least 16 drivers transporting fertilizer were killed in a “coordinated attack” and an unknown number were abducted by militants in West Gonder Zone of Amhara Region according to the local administration and drivers’ association.
In an area called Meqa located in Metemma Woreda of the zone, on Monday, June 23, 2025 (Sene 16, 2017 E.C.) at around 5:30 pm the local administration reports the attack carried out by “Qemant militants” left civilian patrons and the drivers killed.
The majority of the victims were freight truck drivers transporting fertilizer from Djibouti while escorted by security forces.
The zonal administration issued a detailed statement on the attack describing it as “coordinated, deliberate and premeditated” and mentioning the killed victims were drivers.
The statement implicated Qemant militants which they called extremists which were known to the administration for years, and which had secured “strategic areas” before opening fire on the security forces.
One day after on June 25, 2025 (Sene 18, 2017 E.C.) the militants carried out a similar attack on state security forces said the zone.
Though the zone mentioned that the attack targeted state security forces in a “pre-meditated attack” it did not mention details of casualties sustained by the security forces.
An official from the Tana Freight Truckers Association said “drivers have suffered repeated abductions, killings and looting along this route”, and told BBC there were “well organized” militants which would target drivers in three specific locations within this area.
The Metemma road which is located along Ethiopia’s border with Sudan was a commercial route with significance for the country’s economy but had become a dangerous place for drivers, and they added that the road been closed for two months.
“Right in front the glass was shattered by five or six bullets” said the official, who described the attack saying, "gunfire was opened on them”.
The West Gonder Zone administration said the militants had forced the drivers to dismount from their vehicles before “massacring them in a cruel manner.”
Among the killed victims was a married father of three named Ato Solomon Musa who was a freight truck driver, according to one family member who spoke to BBC.
According to the family member when the man was killed on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (Sene 17, 2017 E.C.) they called his phone repeatedly but that his “killers” had killed him, and that the family was now awaiting the body.
“We were concerned for his security. He had previously said the situation was not good. He only traveled because he relied on the work to make a living, because he was a head of a household, and because he was a father of children.”
His family members are “in deep grief” they said, adding that they are awaiting the body.
They added hearing that “a significant number of people” no less than 20 drivers were killed.
According to information gathered by the association 21 drivers were killed in Monday’s attack and an unknown number of drivers were abducted.
The zonal statement said 16 drivers were killed.
Most of the killed victims were drivers transporting fertilizer to Gendewiha town including six drivers of small public transportation vehicles, three Abay transport and logistics drivers, and drivers carrying materials according to an official from the Tana Freight Drivers Association.
They also stated that the killed victims were heads of households, and stated they personally knew one of the killed victims who was a father of three children.
“What will be the fate of the children of tomorrow? Who will feed them? Who will dress them? Living is as you know. One driver has many dependents whose lives rely on him. For someone who travels between different parts of the country, it is customary for the person at home to care for and raise the children and not to work” they said describing the “social upheaval” of the killing.
BBC’s efforts to reach the Qemant militants which were reportedly responsible for the attack were unsuccessful.
Last Hedar 2017 E.C. (between November 10 to December 9, 2024) the ENDF had announced that an agreement had been reached between the state and the militants.
The West Gonder administration says the Qemant militants have used the agreement to “buy time” and that the group has not utilized the opportunity to attain peace.
コメント