English translation of a VOA Amharic article published September 19, 2023
https://amharic.voanews.com/a/awragodana-korke-attack/7274963.html Disclaimer: translation is for information purposes
In the Awra Godana area (also known as Korke town) of Minjar Shenkora Woreda in North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Oromia Region security forces carried out an attack killing civilians and displacing many according to local officials and victims
The attack was reportedly carried out by “Oromia Special Forces” against residents of Awra Godana located along the road from Addis Ababa to Djibouti, and property was also looted and destroyed, and survivors were displaced according to residents who spoke to VOA.
According to the Minjar Shenkora Woreda Mesino and Arbito Ader Administration Head Ato Siraj Aliye Adem said the problem transpired when the day before yesterday, Sunday, “Oromia Special Force personnel opened an attack on the town”.
This occurred one day after ENDF and Federal Police suddenly withdrew from the town according to Ato Siraj. At least 10 people have been killed in the attack according to the administrator.
The majority of the residents that spoke to VOA said, “Oromia Region Special Forces personnel” government militants were responsible, and the Oromia Regional Government, Ethiopian Federal Government have issued various statements stating that Oromia Special Forces had been dismantled and integrated into various other security structures but it is clear they have been reorganized. It was not possible to verify the identities of the militants as described by the residents by a third party.
To receive comments regarding the problem which followed the attack, repeated attempts were made to contact the Oromia Regional Government Spokesperson, East Shewa Zone Communications Office and the Fentale Woreda administration but these attempts were unsuccessful.
In the small area of Awra Godana or Korke which borders Fentale Woreda of East Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, it can be recalled that the Amhara and Oromia Regional Administrations previously encountered security problems.
