Drone strike in Ethiopia’s Oromia region kills at least 8: Reports

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - At least eight people were killed and three others were wounded in a drone strike on a church in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, local media reported Tuesday.

The attack on Full Gospel Church in the village of Baro in Kombolcha district took place on Monday, local news magazine the Addis Standard reported, citing a minister and church official.

The wounded, who sustained life-threatening injuries, were rushed to Kombolcha City Hospital.

Oromia state, the most populous in the country, has seen frequent drone strikes since peace talks between Addis Ababa and Oromia rebels ended in failure late last month.

The Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLAA), a local human rights organization, condemned the strike and accused the Ethiopian government of being behind it.

“As human rights advocates, we condemn this and all violence that disrupts lives and places of worship,” it said, calling on the international community “to exert pressure on the Ethiopian government to cease the use of drones on unverified targets. The protection of innocent lives must be prioritized over military actions.”

The Ethiopian government has yet to comment on the incident.

The situation in the area has been tense due to ongoing clashes between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army.

A second round of peace talks between the Ethiopian government and Oromo rebels in Tanzania ended in late November without a deal.​​​​​​​

Ethiopia alleges the talks failed due to “unrealistic demands” by the rebels.