Somali Region–Oromia Region conflict over the town of Moyale broke out after the Somali Regional State flag was placed in the town.
This led to exchanges of gunfire between Somali forces and Oromo forces, including the use of heavy weapons.
Somali sources also claimed that Oromo militias from Kenya and the Ethiopian army are jointly fighting against the Somali Regional special forces. Somali sources claim that Moyale belongs to the Somali Region of Ethiopia, whereas Oromos claim it belongs to Oromia
According to the 1994 Ethiopian census for the Ethiopian side of Moyale town, Somalis were the largest ethnic group at 46.25%, followed by Borana (Oromo) at 34.25%.
Fighting of this kind has occurred since Meles Zenawi and the EPRDF introduced ethnic federalism in Ethiopia after 1991, which created ethnically defined regional states and has been linked to recurring border and administrative disputes between Oromia and the Somali Region.
The Australia-based Somali WSNLF @wsnlfront organization condemned the attacks on Somali civilians by Oromo forces in the town of Moyale and called for the secession of the Somali Region from Ethiopia.
Death toll and heavy weapons: Reliable reports put the death toll at at least nine people killed over several days of fighting (a local hospital official told Reuters that four died on one day and five the next, with roughly 30 injured). Many of the injuries were caused by heavy weapons. Residents and witnesses described exchanges of heavy gunfire, with Somali fighters reportedly firing heavy weapons from large buildings in the town while Oromia forces responded. Security officials on both sides confirmed casualties among combatants but did not release exact soldier numbers.