Thousands flee attacks in Ethiopia's Amhara region

Thousands of farmers from the Bure area in Ethiopia's Amhara region have crossed into the neighbouring region of Oromia after fresh attacks have claimed dozens of lives, according to residents.

They said two villages - Bakko Tabo and Sontoma - were mainly targeted.

A farmer who fled the area told the BBC: "Fanno members asked us to join them but we said no. Then they attacked us." Residents have said it's ethnically motivated.

They have blamed members of Fanno militias, a group fighting government troops in the volatile north-western Amhara, Ethiopia's second-most populous region.

But it's not clear how many have been killed from the attacks that lasted for days.

"We were unable to bury dead bodies. I don't know the fate of elders who we left behind."

A local official in the Amuru area said so far 3,000 displaced people have taken shelter in schools but that numbers are increasing.

Ethiopia's Human Rights Commission says it is going to investigate the attack.

Earlier today, Ethiopia's prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, called for armed groups to lay down their arms as his administration continue to battle armed insurgency in different parts of the country.