Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday condemned the killing of civilians and property damage in various areas on the outskirts of the capital Addis Ababa.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday condemned the killing of civilians and property damage in various areas on the outskirts of the capital Addis Ababa.

The exact number of people killed or injured in the violence on Saturday and Sunday is not yet available.

The violence has driven thousands of people to flee their homes and seek refuge in schools and other public facilities.

“Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed strongly condemns the killings and acts of violence against innocent citizens around Ashawa Meda, Kataa and Fili Doro last night,” Fitsum Arega, Chief of Staff, the Prime Minister’s Office, said Sunday on Twitter.

“These cowardly attacks represent a grave concern to the unity and solidarity of our people and will be met with the appropriate response,” Abiy, who was in Saudi Arabia to witness the signing of a peace agreement with Eritrea, was quoted as saying.