Ethiopian forces killed nine civilians and injured 12 others in Moyale town near Ethiopia’s border with Kenya, locals and officials confirmed.
The military had been reportedly deployed to Moyale town to intercept anti-government demonstrations that were underway in the town for days.
In a statement by Ethiopia’s command post in the town said Ethiopian security forces mistakenly killed nine civilians.
“A special armed unit set up in the border area to take measures against the Oromo Liberation Front militants mistakenly attacked civilians that resulted in the deaths of nine people,” the statement said.
Several members of Ethiopia’s National Defense Forces involved in the killings have been suspended, according to the command post.
“The investigation will be concluded in a short time and the result will be announced to the public,” pledged the command post.
Jawar Mohammed, Human Right activist based in the town downplayed the figured announced by the command saying the civilians killed in the attack are over thirteen.
“After massacring over 13 people, the regime has cut off electricity to Moyale town. They might be planning further atrocity,” Mohammed said in his twitter post.
Mohammed Ademo, another activist said victims with gunshot wounds were admitted at one of the hospitals in the town.
“Moyale town mayor Aschalew Yohannes told OBN authorities are investigating what caused the fresh bout of violence.
Moyale Hospital director also confirmed all the casualties came with gunshot wounds and five of the 10 critically injured victims were referred to Hawasa Hospital,” he said in a tweet post.
Ethiopia imposed the state of emergency last month following months of unrest and mass protests against the government in some parts of the country.
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