Ethiopia to investigate killings at Saudi border

Ethiopia says it will investigate reports that Saudi guards had used guns and explosive weapons to kill more than 650 people crossing from Yemen into the kingdom since early last year.

It said the investigation would be in tandem with the Saudi authorities.

A foreign ministry statement strongly urged against speculation and said Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia enjoyed long-standing good relations – “notwithstanding the tragedy”.

It expressed no sympathy for the alleged victims.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) collected testimony from survivors. The United Nations has previously made similar allegations to those of HRW.

An unnamed Saudi government official said the HRW report – which was based on interviews with survivors – did not come from reliable sources.

The US State Department says Saudi Arabia must carry out a “thorough and transparent investigation” into the killings, adding: “We have raised our concerns about these allegations with the Saudi government.”

Source: BBC