7 killed in protestor-police clashes in northern Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Clashes during a religious festival in Ethiopia's northern Amhara regional state has left seven people dead, a regional official said Sunday.

Amare Goshu, Head of North Wollo Zone Police Department at Amhara state, said the deaths happened on Saturday and Sunday in Woldiya city, as crowds shouting anti-government slogans clashed with security forces.

The deaths happened during Epiphany celebrations commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ.

He said six of the dead were civilians and one was a security officer, while two other officers and 15 civilians were injured.

Goshu also said several private houses, cars and hotels were set ablaze.

Ethiopia's Amhara regional state plunged into unrest in the second half of 2016 for reasons including a rumored disgruntlement of reallocation of a district to neighboring region.

Many Amharas that make up about 28 percent of Ethiopia's population allege political and economic marginalization by the central government based in Addis Ababa. Enditem