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More than 1,600 people have been killed by Shene, a self-proclaimed Oromo Liberation Army in Tole Kebele, West Welega Gimbi Woreda of Oromia State, according to eyewitnesses.
Eyewitnesses, who did not want to be named for security reasons, told Addis Maleda that more than 1,600 people had been killed in the attack and that 900 bodies had been buried.
Eyewitnesses added that in addition to those whose bodies have been found and buried so far, there are cases where they have been burned to death in their homes.
Residents told Addis Medada that the attack in Tole Kebele, West Welega Gimbi Woreda, West Welega State, since June was “severe and horrific”.
The massacre of civilians has been widely covered by the international media. The death toll has risen since the attack, and residents say the security situation in the area remains tense.
Residents of Tole Kebele, Gimbi Woreda, said the attack was an identity attack and that property belonging to the dead and displaced people had been looted by the Shene group and its allies in the area.
Residents also said that the regional government is not paying any attention to the community living in Tole Kebele, West Welega Gimbi Woreda of Oromia State, adding that the security situation in the region has not been sustainable.
Residents said that despite the presence of the security forces, OLF have not stopped attacking the in the area that are inaccessible to security forces.
Residents said that despite the security situation in the area following the deployment of the Special Forces, situations remained stable, but residents said it was difficult to say whether it was safe.
In the morning, Hailu Adugna, head of the Oromia National Regional State Communication Bureau, inquired about the matter, but failed to give response. Oromia Regional State Police Commissioner Ararsa Merdassa also declined to comment.
After the attack, the government announced that it had deployed security forces in the area and was taking action against the militant group. The international community has condemned the identity-based attacks on innocent civilians, and the government has repeatedly criticized the government’s failure to stop its attacks on civilians.
