DW Amharic – An attack in Nono Woreda of West Shewa Zone left 14 people killed including an entire family
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Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – An attack in Nono Woreda of West Shewa Zone left 14 people killed including an entire family
July 12, 2025 (Hamle 5, 2017 EC)
An attack by militants in Qondala Kebele of Nono Woreda in West Shewa Zone reportedly left at least 14 civilians killed. The day before yesterday, on the night of July 10, 2025 (Hamle 3, 2017 EC), armed militants carried out a targeted and indiscriminate attack on a village.
One father lost six family members
In the attack on Thursday night, a victim named Birhanu Shemsedin lost all of his family members. The victim who spoke to Deutsche Welle (his voice weak and broken) said he had left his home when he found his wife and five children killed, and that the tragedy came as a shock. “It was around 7:30 pm in the evening when they killed all six of my family members. I lost my two-year-old child and wife, my three sons and two daughters. I lost my children aged five, eleven, twelve and fourteen years old. The killers had no quarrel with me; we were only told the so-called extremists were operating as insurgents in the area bordering the southern region. In the sudden attack against our neighborhood there were at least four neighbors or households who also lost loved ones though maybe not their entire families like I did.” He explained that the sudden attack targeted civilians which had no knowledge of what was happening.
A killing carried out against civilians in Nono Woreda of West Shewa Zone
Attacks have continued throughout the area...
The victim explained when the attack targeted his family he had been outside to visit a neighbor’s house and that the attack was unprecedented. “The attack was carried out as all of them were in their homes for the evening. Some were having dinner while others were watching television when they unexpectedly entered and opened gunfire killing whoever they could find including women and children. I heard the sound of gunfire when I was about to leave the neighbor’s home but I was forced to remain still. Afterwards I ran there but nobody was alive, my six family members awaited me all dead” he said expressing that his grief was severe.
The security of eastern woredas of South West Shewa Zone have remained with only hope
The attack was carried out in Darge (Gudina) town of Qondala Kebele in Nono Woreda of West Shewa Zone which borders the Central Ethiopia Region according to eyewitnesses and locals who said this attack was carried out in areas on the outskirts of the town. A source who spoke to us on condition of anonymity for their security said, “at the time all of us were in the town. When the attack took place in that area, we could hear sounds of heavy weapons as well and when the gunfire stopped at around 8:30 pm he went to the area and discovered many bodies. We took the wounded to hospital but there were some who died after reaching the hospital. At this time a total of 14 people were killed and three people are in critical condition receiving care in hospital. They were opening doors and targeting civilians and shooting anyone they could find from a one-year-old baby to elderly persons and women” they said.
More than 20 people killed in conflict in West Shewa Zone
Similar attacks have continued in the area
At the time security personnel were not present in the area, according to the source who said there were over 40 militants who carried out the attack. “It is said security personnel were traveling towards a different area at the time. It seems the militants used this opportunity to enter the area and carry out this brutal attack. The attack was carried out by so called extremists who operate as insurgents in bordering areas and there were between 35 to 40 who entered the town and carried out the attack according to survivors of the attack. Similar acts have taken place within this kebele, and the surrounding area and it has not stopped” they said describing the severity of the problem.
Violent crime and abduction on the rise
The source was asked whether the area had now become stable, “there is no stability at this time, residents have buried the dead and are in mourning. Law enforcement personnel who came to the area have said they’re hunting down those who committed this act” they said. Deutsche Welle’s efforts to contact West Shewa Zone administrator Ato Dida Gudeta and other local officials for further comment on the attack and the current situation in the area were unsuccessful.
Militants have carried out repeated attacks in Nono Woreda of West Shewa Zone as previously reported.
Seyoum Getu
Tamrat Dinsa
