Iran Raps Terror Attack in Ethiopia
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned a terrorist attack in Ethiopia’s western Oromia region that has led to the massacre of over 300 ethnic people.
In a statement on Monday night, Saeed Khatibzadeh expressed his deepest sympathy with Ethiopia on the killing of scores of people in the attack by rebel groups in Oromia.
He strongly condemned the fatal attack and voiced sympathy with the Ethiopian government, people and families of the victims.
The suspected death toll in the attack by gunmen in Oromia region has risen, with new witness testimony suggesting that between 260 and 320 civilians were killed on Saturday.
Reports of the massacre surfaced on Sunday, as survivors described one of the deadliest such incidents for several years in Ethiopia.
The country’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, has condemned what he described as “horrific acts” in Oromia, but has not given any details of the violence.
Oromia, home to Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, as well as people from other communities, has experienced unrest for many years, rooted in grievances about political marginalization and neglect by the central government.
Two residents who described the attack on Saturday said the victims were ethnic Amharas, a minority in the region.
The attack occurred in the Gimbi district of western Wollega zone in the western part of Oromia.
