Ethiopia: Grenade explosion hit cotton factory in Gondar

ESAT News (January 19, 2017)

A series of grenade explosions have been reported in and around Metema, a border town in northern Ethiopia.

A grenade explosion on Wednesday ripped off a cotton processing plant in Metema, Gondar in a locality known as Genda Wuha. Sources told ESAT that the plant, which is reportedly gutted down by the ensuing fire, has reportedly owned by the ruling TPLF.

A separate explosion was reported in Negade Bahir, also in Metema. No casualties have been reported in both attacks which sources believed might have been carried out by groups opposing the regime.

Reports also indicate that several people have been detained following the explosion and there is heavy presence of regime troops in the border city of Metema.

The sources also said that there was a grenade explosion at an Epiphany celebration in Janulana. According to the source, residents allege it was carried out by regime forces. No casualties have been reported in the attack.

Two  grenade attacks at hotels in Bahir Dar and Gondar a week ago  claimed the life of one person and injured 18 others. No groups claimed responsibility for the attacks.