Violence erupted along the boundaries of Konso, Alle, and South Omo zones in the South Ethiopia Region, resulting in the death of four people and injuries to several others.
Local community elders and eyewitnesses told APA that the violence erupted on September 10, 2026, after armed men entered Kolme District in Konso Zone, looking for stolen cattle.
Although local elders initially urged the armed men to address the problem with the mediation of local officials, the heavily armed men came again next morning and launched a surprise attack on Masoya locality and surrounding villages.
The violence also caused displacement of hundreds of people following a coordinated armed incursions, house burnings, and cattle looting.
Residents whom APA spoke to said gunfire broke out at dawn recently, forcing families to flee and evacuate their children while the armed men set fire on homes, grain stores, Flourmills and worshiping buildings and places.
The residents said that attackers looted livestock-including cattle, goats, and poultry-while also taking control of critical watering points along the Weyto River.
According to local community elders, armed young people from neighbouring Alle Zone joined the first raiding parties, escalating the assault across multiple agricultural settlements.
The elders confirmed that at least six civilians died on the Konso side, while more than 500 people fled their homes in Kurgo, Durail, Kisima, and Tuka to seek safety in neighbouring areas.
Kolme District administration in Konso Zone in a statement confirmed that armed men entering under the pretext of retrieving missing cattle instigated the assault.
Fikru Birhanu, Chief Administrator of the Zone said four people died, six sustained serious injuries and 21 structures- including health and educational facilities-were burned to the ground. Birhanu added that security forces are attempting to stabilise the district.
Ethiopian National Defense Force is reportedly deployed to the region to restore order, maintaining patrols as sporadic gunfire continued through the afternoon of September 14, 2026.
MG/as/APA