The Ethiopian Defense Force said on Tuesday that it had killed 44 fighters from the “Shene” extremist group and captured two others during operations in East Wollega Zone in the Oromia region.
The military said the fighters were operating in Gida and Ayana districts and that residents provided information on their location. It also said it had seized some assault rifles, hand grenades, and other ammunition during the operation.
Colonel Aysheshum Beze, commander of the Western Command Mebrek Division, was cited in the military statement. The claims have not been independently verified.
The Oromo Liberation Army, which the government refers to as Shene, did not immediately comment on the latest report. In a statement issued five days ago, the group accused the ruling party of using “disinformation, proxy attacks and religious/identity-based assaults” and rejected government claims of its involvement in violence.
Shene has been linked by authorities to attacks, kidnappings, and massacres in Oromia, but the group has in turn accused the government of forming armed factions under its name.
