Head of Ethiopias military shot dead in attempted coup

The chief of staff of Ethiopias army has been shot dead by his own bodyguard.

General Seare Mekonnen was shot at his home in the capital, Addis Ababa, late last night,

A retired general visiting him at the time was also killed in the same attack.

Earlier, prime minister Abiy Ahmed said his government had foiled a coup attempt in the Amhara region.

Mr Abiy said the coup was led by a high-ranking military official and others within the countrys military.

He said some people had been killed and others wounded in the operation.

The US Embassy reported gunfire on Saturday in Addis Ababa and urged people to be careful.

In Bahir Dar, capital of Amhara, residents said they could still hear gunshots late on Saturday. Ethiopias internet appeared to be shut down on Sunday.

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The attempted coup in Amhara is the latest challenged to Mr Abiy, who was elected last year as a reform-minded young leader.

Mr Abiy has captured the imagination of many with his political and economic reforms, including the surprise acceptance of a peace agreement with bitter rival Eritrea, the opening of major state-owned sectors to private investment and the release of thousands of prisoners including opposition figures once sentenced to death.

በወቅታዊ ሁኔታዎች ላይ የተሰጠ ዝርዝር ጋዜጣዊ መግለጫ::

Press release regarding current issues. #PMOEthiopia pic.twitter.com/dSEC2qx0EE

— Office of the Prime Minister – Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) June 23, 2019

In light of last nights tragic events in #BahirDar &

METRO