Sixteen civilians, including a six-month-old infant, were killed in a brutal attack by armed assailants in the Qondala locality of Nono district, West Shewa Zone in the Oromia region, according to a report by Addis Standard. Citing multiple eyewitnesses and local officials, the report attributes the attack to militants identifying themselves as “Fano.”
According to Addis Standard, the assault occurred on Thursday evening, July 11, 2024, at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Gudina, a locality in Kondala town. The outlet reports that 14 people were killed immediately, with two others succumbing to injuries later while being taken for medical treatment.
The victims include multiple families. Among them were Boke Gadissa and Birke Merga along with their six-month-old infant, Wendimu Zeleke, Ibate Zeleke and Ibate’s mother and child, and six members of Birhanu Shamsadin’s family, including his wife and five children. Another victim, Abdo Aliyi, was reportedly killed while attempting to help others under attack.
Eyewitnesses told Addis Standard that around 70 armed men, equipped with Kalashnikovs and other weapons, carried out the attack. The assailants reportedly identified themselves as Fano militants and are said to be based near the border of Nono district and the Central Ethiopia region. Residents also alleged that some of the attackers were former residents of the area.
Inspector Mohammed Aba Meca, head of the police in Nono district, confirmed to Addis Standard that the perpetrators came from the neighboring Gurage Zone in the Central Ethiopia Region and fled to Abishege district after the assault. He added that government forces were not present at the time of the attack but have since been deployed to restore order.
The recent massacre marks a continuation of recurring violence in the district. Addis Standard recalled a previous incident in June 2024 in which at least 24 civilians were killed during an attack on a wedding ceremony. That attack, described by officials as being carried out by “Amhara insurgents,” also involved the bombing of the venue and the burning of more than 22 nearby homes.
Earlier, in March 2022, Addis Standard reported another deadly assault in the same district that left four members of one family dead, six others injured, and over 40 homes and livestock destroyed.
The persistent violence has left residents fearful and traumatized. One resident described the attacks as “routine,” and others warned of more potential assaults despite the current presence of federal forces.
