ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

More than 200 armed fighters have surrendered to the Ethiopian government forces in the Western Oromia region, the country’s army announced Sunday, marking a new development in a long-running conflict in the area.

The military said the fighters had been operating in the East Wollega Zone and laid down their arms following negotiations with local administrators and security officials. According to the army, the move came after sustained security operations combined with dialogue efforts.

Western Oromia has long been affected by clashes between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an armed group that split from the Oromo Liberation Front after a 2018 peace agreement.

The group claims that marginalization and neglect of the Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in the country, are the root causes of their armed struggle.

Authorities have periodically announced surrenders or defections in the past, though violence has continued in parts of the region.

Independent verification of the scale and impact of such developments remains difficult due to access restrictions and communication shutdowns in conflict-affected areas.

There was no immediate comment from the OLA on Sunday’s announcement.