Amhara regional state authorities announced that five suspects are in custody in connection with setting fire to three mosques in western Ethiopia. The mosques, along with several Muslim-owned stores in Motta Town, were destroyed.
Authorities say an ancient church was also torched.
The region’s communication affairs office head, Getnet Yirsaw believes the fires were set to stir tensions between Ethiopian Christians and Ethiopian Muslims.
He also said that the attack does not represent the followers of the two faiths and it was intended to damage religious tolerance values Ethiopia is known for.
Various members of Ethiopia’s diverse religious community condemned the attack and demanded the government find and hold those who are behind it responsible.
Yirsaw says security forces continue to search for other suspects.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed condemned the violence and said he would not allow extremists to tarnish Ethiopia’s history of religious tolerance. He urged called on citizens to reject hateful agendas.
The International Crisis Group think-tank warned in a report published this week of an uptick in attacks on churches across Ethiopia and suggested that rising inter-communal tensions pose a threat ahead of elections scheduled for May 2020.
