A deadly armed assault on passenger vehicles traveling through Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region has left more than 30 civilians dead, with survivors describing hours of gunfire, panic, and brutal killings along the road between Mankush and Gilgel Beles.The attack happened earlier this week in Metekel Zone, where armed men reportedly targeted public transportation vehicles moving toward Gilgel Beles from Assosa. Witnesses say the violence unfolded over several hours, trapping passengers in the middle of an active ambush before security forces eventually arrived.One survivor said their bus unknowingly drove straight into the attack zone after leaving Mankush.“We suddenly found ourselves surrounded by shooting,” the passenger recalled. “People were screaming and trying to hide inside the bus while bullets were coming from different directions.”According to the survivor, passengers later attempted to escape on foot after realizing they were directly caught in the assault. Several people were shot while fleeing, including three of the survivor’s relatives, all of whom died during the chaos.Another witness said armed men stopped buses after first attacking a government pickup truck traveling ahead on the same road. Passengers were allegedly ordered off the vehicles before gunmen searched belongings, seized valuables, and physically assaulted civilians.Some victims who resisted were reportedly dragged away from the main group, while gunshots could be heard nearby. Relatives later confirmed that several injured passengers died after being transported to nearby health facilities.Witnesses estimate the buses were carrying far more passengers than their official capacity because of transportation shortages in the region. Some passengers are still unaccounted for.The attackers later burned the vehicles involved, including the government pickup and at least two buses.No group has officially claimed responsibility for the killings, and authorities have yet to release an official casualty figure. Local officials also declined to provide details when contacted by journalists.The latest violence comes despite years of peace negotiations and reconciliation efforts between the Benishangul-Gumuz regional administration and armed movements operating across Metekel and nearby border areas.Regional authorities previously signed agreements with groups including the Gumuz People’s Democratic Movement (GPDM) and the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM), promising rehabilitation programs, reintegration opportunities, and amnesty arrangements aimed at ending the long-running instability in the area.Although hundreds of former members were reportedly released or reintegrated following those agreements, deadly attacks have continued to occur in different parts of the region over the past several years.Following the latest incident, the GPDM released a statement condemning the killings and calling on authorities to take action against those responsible. The group described the attackers as unidentified armed elements targeting civilians.The road linking Mankush and Gilgel Beles has repeatedly experienced insecurity in recent years, with residents and travelers frequently raising concerns over armed ambushes, kidnappings, and deadly attacks targeting public transport.
