Riyadh In a series of alarming incidents, groups from the Oromo community have targeted Amhara migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. The violence, marked by abductions, torture, and killings, has drawn international condemnation and highlighted the dire situation faced by Ethiopian migrants in the Gulf kingdom.
Gruesome Methods of Torture
Groups from the Oromo community have been employing two brutal methods to carry out their attacks. One strategy involves abducting Amhara migrants during their journey to Saudi Arabia. These kidnappings often result in demands for exorbitant ransoms, placing immense financial and emotional strain on the victims’ families.
The other method involves home invasions, where these groups target Amhara workers living and working on farms. These invasions not only disrupt the victims’ livelihoods but also instill fear within the broader migrant community.
A particularly disturbing video recently surfaced on TikTok, shedding light on the severity of these attacks. Recorded by members of these groups, the video captures a harrowing incident near Riyadh. In the footage, four young Amhara shepherds are shown with their hands tied behind their backs, clearly in distress.
Under the threat of execution, they are coerced into demeaning their own ethnicity while praising the Oromo. The video shows a Kalashnikov gun pointed at their heads, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of their situation. This visual evidence of the brutality faced by Amhara migrants has sparked outrage and highlighted the urgent need for international intervention and support for Ethiopian migrants in the Gulf region.
Content Warning: Graphic Content
A disturbing video that surfaced on TikTok, recorded by Groups from the Oromo community, depicts a harrowing incident near Riyadh. Four young Amhara shepherds were kidnapped, their hands tied behind their backs, and forced to demean their ethnicity under threat of execution
Escalating Violence
The violence escalated from a personal altercation between an Oromo and an Amhara farm worker. Following this incident, Oromo extremists began a coordinated campaign of violence, moving from place to place, torturing and murdering unsuspecting Amhara farm workers. Many of these victims were unaware of the initial conflict and were unprepared for the ensuing attacks.
Local authorities were alerted to these brutal acts, responding with security forces, including helicopters. The victims were transported to Shemaisi Hospital, and the Al Thumamah Police Station was the first to arrive at the scene. Eyewitnesses reported that at least five individuals were killed, with several others remaining in critical condition.
A Pattern of Abductions and Torture
In another incident in the Rubuo neighborhood of Khamis Mushait, southern Saudi Arabia, 17 women and 12 men were kidnapped by armed Oromo extremists during their migration route from Ethiopia to Saudi Arabia through Yemen. The captors demanded ransoms and humiliated their captives, forcing them to make demeaning statements.
A third incident in the Tohif district of western Saudi Arabia involved the kidnapping and torture of an Amhara immigrant, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of 15,000 riyals. After the ransom was paid, the victim was released.
Worsening Conditions for Amhara Migrants
The situation for Amhara migrants in Saudi Arabia has become increasingly perilous. Many are unable to move freely outside urban areas or work due to the constant threat of violence. This has left many Amhara migrant workers in dire situations, struggling to make ends meet.
The Ethiopian embassy in Saudi Arabia has been largely ineffective in addressing the plight of these migrants. The current ambassador, Lechch Bati, is known for his association with the Oromo extremist organization OLA, raising concerns about his commitment to protecting Amhara citizens.
International Calls for Action
Human rights organizations have called for immediate intervention to protect these vulnerable individuals. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented numerous abuses against Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia, including overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, torture, and beatings in detention centers. There have been calls for independent investigations into these incidents and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The ongoing violence highlights the urgent need for international attention and action to safeguard the lives and rights of Amhara migrant workers in Saudi Arabia (Human Rights Watch) (Amnesty International)
East African Review (EAR) has reached out to multiple entities for comment on our ongoing investigation. Our inquiries were directed to the Saudi Embassy in the United States, Pediatric Hospital – King Saud Medical City, and Al Thumamah Police Station in Al Thumama, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As of this publication, we have not received any responses to our requests for statements.
We remain committed to providing a comprehensive and balanced report. This story will be updated to reflect any statements we receive from these entities.
