Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA (EI): Local authorities have confirmed that at least 13 Ethiopians have lost their lives in recent attacks along the border with Kenya.
In a press statement released Monday, Tadele Hatte, the chief administrator of the Dassenech district, reported that 13 Ethiopian civilians were killed and three others sustained serious injuries as a result of assaults by armed groups from Kenya’s border Turkana community, as armed men crossed into Southern Ethiopia’s Dassenech district.
Local officials said that the injured are currently receiving intensive healthcare treatment in nearby health facilities.
Tadele said an organized and armed Turkana militia group, who have infiltrated the Ethiopian border have carried out a series of attacks in various areas, causing extensive damage in the area.
He said while 12 people were killed in the attacks that affected Siyes and Kechem localities in the district, two other victims were transported to Jinka General Hospital for advanced treatment. One of the injured eventually died shortly after while receiving treatment at the hospital, bringing the total number of casualties to 13.
Tadele further revealed that the attackers made off with six fishing boats and over 120 fishing nets, in addition to cash and other valuables from the local trading community.
The district administrator extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.
The Dassenech people in Ethiopia and Turkana people in neighboring Kenya have longstanding cultural and economic connections. Throughout history, these two groups have often clashed over access to fishing resources and various economic pursuits.
Meanwhile, reports in Kenya show that at least 20 people were killed, and several others injured in what is believed to be a militia assault at the volatile Todonyang region on the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
(Photo credit – Standard)
