At least six civilians have died in a sad six-day war and violence escalation in the Darra district, which is in the North Shewa Zone of the Oromia region.
Residents of the Darra neighborhood told local media that the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and the non-state militia Fano were responsible for the attack.
In addition to the terrible death toll among civilians, the violence caused significant harm to vital infrastructure, forced families to relocate, and destroyed over 50 homes.
Three citizens were slain and two injured in Tuti village, Darra district, on August 25, 2024, after an attack purportedly carried out by OLA members, according to a resident of Gundomeskel city in the Darra district who asked to remain anonymous for their safety.
The same informant also said that on August 27, 2024, at least three persons died and two more were injured in an attack carried out by members of the Fano organization in Jiru Dada village, Darra district.
The three deceased people, who were all over 80 years old, were named as Ayale Kababo from Dhanka, Jima Senbeto from Agemsa, and Borja Dabale from Horo. The attack injured two ladies in addition to Marid Jima.
According to the report, “the injured are currently receiving treatment at Gundomeskel Primary Hospital.”
The resident further stated that people residing in the remote Derra district villages of Jiru Dada, Salalkula, Wara Gabro, and Birje have been the target of recurrent attacks by armed groups.
The resident said, “Militant leaders responded that they could not engage with the militants when we requested intervention from the Ethiopian National Defense Force.””They said the only thing they had to do was guard the city.”
Jiru Dada and Tuti villages have been completely destroyed by attacks by the OLA, also known by the government as “Shane,” and the Fano paramilitary organization, according to a second Jiru Dada resident who wished to remain unidentified.
The homeowner revealed that the recent strikes have resulted in the destruction of civilian properties, with an estimated 32 to 50 dwellings burning down and livestock being looted.
The inhabitant claimed, “As a family, we fled our home and sought refuge in the jungle to escape the violence.”
In addition, he mentioned that the Darra district contains forty-three communities, many of which are no longer livable.
In addition, the resident claimed that the current security situation involving federal forces, the OLA, and Fano has caused the administrative institutions of the government to collapse in 14 of these villages.
He continued, “Gundomeskel City is still one of the few livable areas, drawing a number of people who escape from rural areas.”
The local added that the fighting has also had an impact on growing towns like Salalkula, Salesh, Tuti, and Cheka. “There are now very few vehicles available, so people frequently travel on foot between villages,” he said. The people of the Darra district continue to attack civilians, even though the Ethiopian National Defense Force is positioned only three kilometers distant in Cheka town.