ADDIS ABABA, (The Southern African Times) – Dozens of suspected Ethiopian extremists have been arrested in a sting operation, state media outlet Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reported on Sunday.
EBC reported the suspects were caught during a sting operation in Dena-Mena locality of Bale zone in Ethiopia’s Oromia regional state.
Jeilan Aman, Chief Police Commissioner, Bale Zone, said scores of machetes and rifles were confiscated from the suspects who are members of a self-styled “Islamic State Center” extremist group.
The Islamic State Center ideology closely mirrors that of another extremist group, the Islamic State.
“The Islamic State Center” espouses various extremist beliefs including advocating for citizens to disobey government regulations including paying taxes.
Aman said the extremist group has connections with another extremist group, al-Shabab which is based in neighboring Somalia.
“The suspects which had received military training in remote hideouts such as caves were preparing to conduct terror attacks when they were arrested,” Aman further said.
Last November, The Ethiopia National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) disclosed it had arrested 14 suspected members of the extremist groups Islamic State (IS) and al-Shabab.
The 14 suspects were arrested while planning terror attacks in various parts of Ethiopia.
