Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic - Four farmers who were previously abducted from Kore Zone have been horrifically killed
September 13, 2024
Four farmers who were abducted by militants in Kore Zone in the South Ethiopia Region were horrifically killed according to family members of victims who spoke to DW. The militants carried out the killing yesterday after they received one hundred thousand birr and a carton of Timbaho cigarettes which they demanded for the safe release of the farmers.
The farmers were abducted yesterday morning as they were caring for cattle according to three close relatives of the victims, “the militants entered the kebele from the neighboring West Guji Zone in Oromia Region. After the abductees were taken captive they took them to a nearby forest called Kaliya. They sent us a message saying they would release them if we sent them one hundred thousand birr and one carton of Timbaho cigarettes. Though we sent them what they asked for, they still killed them after receiving the money and the Timbaho. Their burial took place today on Friday.”
DW attempted to contact the Kore Zone administration and the zone’s peace and security office officials for their views on the killing of the farmers but this effort was unsuccessful on account of the officials being in a meeting. However in a post made on Facebook, the zonal administration announced the act was carried out by anti peace groups operating in the area.
DW spoke to Dr. Aweke Hamzaye, an elected official in the house of peoples’ representatives from Kore, who said the abductions and killings were carried out by around 16 militants which he was able to learn from residents. Dr. Aweke who said killings and attacks had repeatedly taken place in the area, said “there are two options. These are for security forces to carry out a strong operation and clean up the militants or to arm the people so they can defend themselves through lawful means.”
Reporter: Shewangizaw Wegayehu
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