Violent clashes near the Sudanese border: at least 65 dead in western Ethiopia

The details have emerged from an attack in Western Ethiopia last week that killed 65 people, including 27 civilians, and that's according to local police and media. The region sits near the border with Sudan, where violent clashes have become a common occurrence. The regional authorities have accused neighboring countries of supporting the armed groups. More from our correspondent, Tom Kennedy. These attacks lasted two days in the Assosa zone which falls within the Benishangul Gumuz regional state. The assailants attacked police, pro-government militia and special forces but amongst the victims were civilians, residents there including children. The police commissioner of the region has blamed the Oromo Liberation Army for the attacks. The OLA has not reacted to those accusations but have rejected similar Accusations of being involved in clashes there in this region in the past. At the end of October, the police in Benishangul Gumuz, launched an operation against what it calls Army 13, which it accuses of being supported by Sudan, Eritrea and Egypt with the objective of destabilising the region and controlling its resources. The police accused this group of entering Ethiopia via Sudan. The Assosa region is known for its important gold reserves and also for being a battlefield for frequent violent clashes.