ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people on Monday protested against the killing of civilians and property damage in various areas on the outskirts of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
Some 23 people have so far been confirmed dead while some 886 others have left their homes as the attack drove residents to flee and seek refuge in schools and other public facilities, Ethiopian state news agency ENA reported.
Protesters - flocking to Ethiopia's national palace and national broadcaster early Monday in Addis Ababa - voiced for protection and security from the government. They also urged the government to take action and bring the perpetrator to justice.
They further called for the provision of swift support from the government to the displaced people.
Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed late on Sunday also condemned the attack and killing of innocent people.
"Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed strongly condemns the killings and acts of violence against innocent citizens around Ashawa Meda, Kataa and Fili Doro last night," said Fitsum Arega, chief of staff of the Ethiopian Prime Minister's Office on Sunday.
"These cowardly attacks represent a grave concern to the unity and solidarity of our people and will be met with appropriate response," Ahmed, who is in Saudi Arabia to witness the signing of a peace agreement with Eritrea, was quoted as saying.
Video footage showing dead bodies and looted houses and properties appeared early Sunday on social media platforms.
On Sunday, Oromia regional police disclosed that 70 people have been arrested for their suspected role in organizing the attacks on civilians and properties. Police also affirmed that situations are now under control in areas where the attacks happened.
The weekend attack followed recent clashes in the capital Addis Ababa among local residents and youth from surrounding areas who flocked to the city to celebrate the return of the exiled rebel leader of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) group that has been fighting insurgency for self-determination of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromos.
Following clashes in the capital late last week, Mayor of Addis Ababa, Takele Uma on Friday warned the government will take legal measures against "conspirators" as tensions rose in the city, triggered by a controversial flag attributed to the previously banned rebel group OLF.
The expected arrival of Dawud Ibsa, OLF leader, and other members of the group had raised tension in the city, as some residents of Addis Ababa clashed from Wednesday to Friday with supporters of OLF, who mostly came from ethnic Oromo villages surrounding Addis Ababa and beyond.
Despite the clashes involving sticks and stones that left several people injured and unspecified property damage, hundreds of thousands on Saturday welcomed OLF leadership as the welcoming event ended peacefully.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, while speaking to media outlets on Thursday, also called for calm as clashes over the hosting of OLF flag, left the normally politically calm city shaken.
Ahmed urged Ethiopians to tolerate each other's freedom of expression including flag of their own liking. The premier also warned that unspecified "forces" want to incite violence under the guise of the flag controversy.
The government will not tolerate such provocations, the prime minister said, urging people to refrain from acts that can incite violence.
