Incident Summary:

12/23/2020: Assailants armed with firearms and knives attacked members of the Amhara, Oromo and Shinasha ethnic communities in Bekoji, Metekel, Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia. Two hundred and twenty-two civilians and 15 assailants were killed and 38 people were injured in the attack. In addition, four people were reported missing following the attack. Assailants also set fire to civilian residences. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to a Gumuz militia.

GTD ID:
202012230006

When:
2020-12-23

Country:
Ethiopia

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Benishangul-Gumuz

City:
Bekoji

Location Details:
The incident occurred in Metekel district.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Bekoji Village
Specific Description Village
Nationality of Target Ethiopia
Additional Information
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Incendiary Arson/Fire
Melee Knife or Other Sharp Object
Weapon Details
Firearms, fire, knives, and bows and arrows were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information The victims included civilians from the Amhara, Oromo, and Shinasha ethnic communities, including Belay Wajera and Hassen Yimama. Casualty numbers conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the most recent reliable estimates are reported here.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Gumuz militia No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 222 Fatalities / 38 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 222
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 15
Total Number of Injured 38
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Ethiopia Military ‘Kills 40’ After Benishangul-Gumuz Massacre," Independent.ng, December 24, 2020.
"More than 100 killed along ethnic lines in Ethiopia," FOXNews.com, December 23, 2020.
"Dozens reported dead after attack by gunmen in Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region," Reuters India, December 23, 2020.