Ethiopia’s Oromo rebels torch vehicles defying strike

Ethiopian rebel group Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has burnt vehicles that ignored its call for a transport strike in the populous Oromia region, local media report.

Reports say many businesses, including banks and government offices have been closed since the strike was declared on Monday.

Several trucks were destroyed in various parts of Oromia during the strike that also left some civilians injured, the privately-owned Wazema Radio news website reported.

"Unknown number of people were also reportedly injured in a grenade attack in Nekemt town, East Wollega Zone," it added.

The OLA claims to fight for the self-determination of the Oromo people - Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group.

It was designated a terrorist organisation by the Ethiopian federal parliament in May 2021.

The national army continues to conduct operations against the rebel group.