Ethiopian and Turkish authorities have confirmed that three people, including two Turkish nationals, were killed in an armed attack on a tourist convoy in Ethiopia’s Southwest Ethiopia Peoples’ Region, prompting a large-scale security operation and renewed travel warnings from Ankara.
The attack occurred on the morning of Monday, Jan. 12, in a rural area of the Suri district near the town of Tum, around 330 km (205 miles) southwest of Addis Ababa, according to official statements and diplomatic sources.
The victims were identified as Erdoğan Akbulak, a prominent Turkish businessman and owner of Silkar Mining (Silkar Madencilik), a leading company in Turkey’s natural stone industry; Cengizhan Güngör, who was travelling with the group; and an Ethiopian driver, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed.
Two other Turkish citizens travelling in a separate vehicle as part of the convoy were not injured. They later reached the Turkish Embassy in Addis Ababa, where they are receiving protection and consular assistance.
Attackers Described as Armed Pastoralist Bandits
Authorities in the Southwest Ethiopia Peoples’ Region said in official social media statements that the attackers were armed pastoralist bandits, believed to be local herders operating in the remote border areas of the Suri district.
The region is home to semi-nomadic communities, including the Suri and Surma tribes, whose members traditionally carry firearms to protect livestock. While the area has attracted cultural and safari tourism in recent years, it has also seen sporadic security incidents linked to cattle raiding and local armed disputes.
Investigators are examining whether the victims were targeted in a robbery attempt or were caught in crossfire during a sudden outbreak of local armed tensions.
Diplomatic Response and Repatriation
Turkey’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Berk Baran, confirmed the deaths and said the embassy had taken in the surviving Turkish nationals.
He said the bodies of the victims were transferred to Addis Ababa on Tuesday morning and were scheduled to be repatriated to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, with arrival expected on Wednesday.
Baran also urged Turkish citizens to consult the embassy and carry out detailed security assessments before travelling to remote rural areas of Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Government Launches Joint Task Force
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia announced the establishment of a joint task force involving the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Defence, the federal police and regional security forces in Southwest Ethiopia.
The government condemned the killings as a “heinous act” and said a major law enforcement operation was under way to track down and arrest those responsible.
Ongoing Investigation
Federal and regional police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether it was a targeted criminal ambush or an unintended consequence of inter-communal violence.
Officials said further updates would be provided as suspects are identified and security operations progress in the region.
