Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic - Armed forces have taken control of Segen town say town residents
August 21, 2024
Armed forces took control of Segen town in the Konso Zone of the South Ethiopia Region, say town residents. According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Deutsche Welle at least 12 people were killed including police members in the attack which led to the capture of the area last Saturday.
Renewed conflict in the Konso area
Starting from last Saturday unrest took hold in Segen Zuriya Woreda in Konso Zone of the South Ethiopia Region. Last Saturday and Sunday, armed groups entered the woreda’s main town of Segen and opened fire according to eyewitnesses. In the attack 12 people were killed including 7 police officers according to two town residents who spoke to Deutsche Welle and said the area remains under the control of the militants. Residents said they heard sounds which appeared to come from the use of heavy weapons by the militants which took control of Segen town, “seven woreda police members were killed in the attack. Five of the residents have died. The police members were killed on Saturday and Sunday during a gunfire exchange with the militants. The residents lost their lives after being struck by stray bullets during the gunfire exchange.”
Segen town under control of militants
Segen town which is located in Konso Zone has been under the control of the militants since last Saturday according to credible sources in the area who spoke to Deutsche Welle. After the police members were killed in the attack, woreda officials retreated to Karat town according to one town resident who said, “at this time there are no government security enforcers, officials or government institutions outside of the militants in the area. Yesterday and today the occasional sound of gunfire has been confirmed. Though it has been said the national defense force is encamped in an area called Gato, they have not yet reached the area.”
Efforts to restore order
On the matter Deutsche Welle spoke to the Konso Zone Government Communications Office Head Ato Serawit Dibaba who struggled to provide current information but said the attack on the town resulted in the killing of police members and civilians. The communications office head said the attack was carried out by “forces opposing peace” who were disrupting peace under the pretext of demands for change to the administrative structure, and he said “these forces of destruction have continued to go throughout the town looting and destroying property. On our end we working with the regional and federal security bodies to send more security forces to the area to restore order.” In recent years there has been repeated conflict which have left hundreds killed in Segen Zuriya Woreda of Konso Zone in the South Ethiopia Region. As it is known there is an organized group operating in the area of Segen Zuriya Woreda of Konso Zone which seek to break off and form their own independent administration.
Shewangizaw Wegayehu
Lidet Abebe
Yohannes Gebreegziabher
Article Translation
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