OREANDA-NEWS. According to Reuters, about 150 people were killed in an armed gang attack on villagers in western Ethiopia during months of inter-tribal clashes. In response, the country's army units killed 42 suspects from whom their weapons - bows and arrows - were seized.

The village of Bekoji, located in the Bulen district of Benishangul Gumuz province in Ethiopia, was attacked around 6 a.m. on 23 December. The intruders shot all the inhabitants of the settlement that came across them and burned down the houses. The victims were at least 102 people, including many children and women, about 40 local residents were injured, and many children disappeared.

The massacre took place the day after the visit to the province of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He has repeatedly stated the need to bring to justice the armed insurgents responsible for the massacres that have taken place in recent months. It was this circumstance, as experts note, that could provoke a new attack.

After the massacre, military units moved to Benishangul-Gumuz and killed at least 42 men involved in the Bekoji massacre. They found bows and arrows with them. In addition, five local officials were arrested and accused of failing to act in a tense situation where the population needed protection.

It is reported that representatives of the local peoples Agau and Amhara have been in conflict for several months: in September, 45 people died during clashes, in October - another 14, after which troops were brought into their areas of residence.