Hundreds of Ethiopians flee to Kenya through Moyale as regional clashes escalate

A significant number of Ethiopians, primarily women, children, and young individuals, have been fleeing into Kenya via the Moyale border due to escalating tensions and violence in Ethiopia, according to police reports. The exodus began on Wednesday night, with individuals crossing the border through multiple points such as Sessi, Kore, Biashara, Foundation, and Miti.

The exact count of those who have crossed remains unclear, but authorities estimate that hundreds have made the journey. The primary cause of this mass exodus is the conflict between leadership in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region and the Somali Region, particularly targeting the Garre community, according to police. As of Thursday morning, the situation on the Ethiopian side continued to be unstable, with gunshots reportedly heard around 5:50am, persisting until a security briefing at 6:20am.

Kenyan authorities have been made aware of the situation, and security agencies are working to monitor the influx and avert any potential border spillover. The Moyale Sub-County Security Team and the Moyale Cross-Border Peace Committee have been mobilized to mitigate tensions and maintain stability among border communities. Despite the unrest on the Ethiopian side, the Kenyan side of Moyale has remained peaceful, with security personnel on high alert.

Concerns are growing over the humanitarian needs of those fleeing the reported clashes, especially vulnerable women and children, as authorities work to determine the extent of the influx. No deaths have been reported thus far.