NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!
An ethnic attack in Ethiopia has left more than 200 dead in the Oromia region of the country, according to witnesses.
Witnesses blame a rebel group, the Oromo Liberation Army, for the attack, but the group denies it.
A witness, Abdul-Seid Tahir, said he counted a total of 230 bodies after the attack, and says this is “the deadliest attack on civilians we have ever seen in our lives.”
“I have counted 230 bodies. I am afraid this is the deadliest attack on civilians we have ever seen in our lives,” Tahir said. “We are burying them in mass graves, and we are still collecting bodies. Now units of the federal army have arrived, but we fear that the attacks may continue if they leave.”
PUTIN ASSIGNS US AS WE ACT AS GOD’S MESSENGER, ASSIGNS THAT THE WORLD ORDER IS CHANGING
On March 16, 2019, a man is drawn in a mosaic of teff grain fields harvested near the crash site of an Ethiopian airline operated by a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in the village of Hama Quntushele, near Bishoftu , in the Oromia region. (Tony Karumba / AFP via Getty Images)
Witnesses say the attack was mostly committed against Amharic people
Another witness who asked to be identified by his name, Shambel, said the local Amhara community is desperately trying to be relocated “before another round of mass killings takes place.”
Shambel said ethnic Amhara in the area are being “killed like chickens.”
BRAZILIAN POLICE STOP THE THIRD SUSPENSION OF THE MURDER OF A BRITISH INDIGENOUS JOURNALIST AND EXPERT
Witnesses say the Oromo Liberation Army is in charge of carrying out the attack, but the group denies it.
“The attack you are referring to was carried out by the regime’s army and local militia when they were withdrawing from their camp in Gimbi after our recent offensive,” said army spokeswoman Odaa Tarbii. “They escaped to an area called Tole, where they attacked the local population and destroyed their property in retaliation for their perceived support of the OLA. Our fighters had not even reached that area when the attacks took place. “.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The country is currently experiencing widespread ethnic tensions due to political tensions and historical grievances. The Amharic people are considered the second largest ethnic group in the country and have often been targeted in regions such as Oromia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and Twitter @ asabes10.