On 10 March, Ethiopian security forces conducted an operation in Moyale, Ethiopia, during which civilians were targeted. 13 people were killed, 20 people were injured, and 16 were reported missing (ECHO 15/03/2018).
According to the Ethiopian government, the military erroneously conducted the attack due to false intelligence about the presence of members of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), a militant opposition group, in the area (Voice of America 12/03/2018).
Reportedly, soldiers involved in the incident have been disarmed and a government delegation is investigating the attacks (UNHCR 19/03/2018).
According to local residents, victims were from different ethnic groups (Voice of America 12/03/2018).
Residents described that the military conducted house searches, and that people were shot at and killed indiscriminately, including at the market and in mosques (Voice of America 12/03/2018, Nation 14/03/2018).
Following security operations in Moyale, Ethiopia, some 10,000 people have been displaced to Moyale in Marsabit county, Kenya.
The displaced population is currently staying in makeshift camps around Moyale. 80% of the displaced people are women and children, including 600 pregnant women and 1,500 children under five. Multisectoral assistance is urgently needed.
Source: APACS
Full report: Ethiopians flee to Kenya
Further information: UNHCR