Ethiopian Airforce Chief Yilma Merdasa has allegedly abducted immediate family members of an Oromo Liberation Army Commander. Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an armed group, has been fighting security forces in the Oromia region of Ethiopia for years.
In the second week of April this year, Oromo Liberation Army conducted an operation in Amaya district South West Shewa Oromia. The operation targeted air force chief Yilma Merdasa’s family house. OLA kidnapped Yilma Merdasa’s 2 brothers i.e. Bekele Merdasa and Borena Merdasa. Since then, the two have been in the custody of OLA fighters. Around 2 weeks ago, Oromo Liberation Army released a video showing the two in custody. Oromia regional and Ethiopian federal forces have not been able to trace out the abductees.
It seems that Yilma Merdasa involved air force units directly in this issue. On the 10th May, air force units raided a house in Adama city of Oromia. The house belonged to the in laws of an OLA commander who conducted the operation against Yilma Merdasa’s family in Amaya. The commander named Aba Seena has been part of the OLA for more than a decade.
The air force units kidnapped 35 year old Falme Musa (Aba Seena’s sister in law) and 18 year old Senasa Musa (Aba Seena’s brother in law). Since then the two have been missing. They were neither taken to any police station nor made to appear at any court. It is being said that the two are being kept at Ethiopian air force base in Bishoftu.
According to the Aba Seenna’s in laws, they have been out of touch with OLA commander for years and they have nothing to do with the operation conducted by OLA in Yilma Merdasa’s hometown.
Oromo Liberation Army and political parties in Oromia accuse Ethiopian government forces of indiscriminately imprisoning people on the suspicion of having links with OLA.
It seems that Yilma Merdasa wants to secure the release of his brothers by kidnapping OLA commander’s family members.
Last week, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy addressed a large gathering in Nekemte East Wollega Oromia. A rally was taken out to welcome the prime minister there. Wollega zones are seen as OLA’s stronghold. While government claims that armed groups like the Oromo Liberation Army in Oromia and Fano in Amhara are on the run, it seems the security forces could not strike any decisive blows to these armed groups through ongoing military operations in both regions.
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