Four distinct bomb explosions have occurred in Bahir Dar, a city in northern Ethiopia, authorities say, indicating a heightened insecurity in Amhara, the nation’s second-largest region.
The explosions took place in specific “strategic” locations within the city, the regional capital, and were intended to “terrorise the public,” a police spokeswoman said.
She did not mention any casualties, but she did state that six people were detained in connection with the occurrences.
After the authorities conducted what they referred to as a “law enforcement operation,” which resulted in the arrest of thousands of people in the area, tensions in the area have risen.
Following the massacre of ethnic Amharas in the neighboring Oromia region, there have been a number of anti-government demonstrations recently. In the incident, more than 250 farmers from the village died.
However, locals say that calm has been restored to the community and the city was peaceful.
The most recent developments, however, suggest that there are simmering tensions that could present serious difficulties for a nation plagued by protracted wars.
Meanwhile, the Amhara regional state on Tuesday said it has arrested suspects who launched what has been described as a terrorist attack in Bahir Dar city, the seat of the regional administration.
The regional police also make 14 arrests of others who they claim were working with the suspects. According to reports, city residents assisted security personnel in effecting the arrest.
Since last month, the Amhara regional state has been conducting a crackdown. It claimed to be focusing on organisations that are functioning in the area under the pretext of FANO but are actually working against Ethiopia or for illegal ends.
