Heavy fighting erupted between rival armed forces from the Somali and Afar ethnic groups in Asbuli town, located in the Sitti region of the Somali regional state in Ethiopia.
According to residents, the fighting started early on Tuesday morning when a group of Afar Liyu police and militias attacked Somali Liyu police and civilians in the town.
Hajji Ali Musa Hassan, an elder of the Sitti region, told local media that the battle resulted in the death and injury of many Somali police officers and civilians.
However, the number of casualties from the fighting is still being determined as independent official information sources are difficult to find.
Eyewitnesses reported that Ethiopian federal forces opened fire on protesters in Ayshica town, also located in the Siti region of the Somali regional state, on Monday, killing at least two civilians and injuring several others.
The people have been protesting against various issues in the Sitti region since Sunday, including the displacement of residents from some towns.
