The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an armed group classified as a terrorist organisation by the Ethiopian government, has stormed the Western town of Nekemte.

Heavy gunfire has been heard after the OLA fighters stormed the town of Nekemte, the largest town in western Oromia, on Sunday morning, residents have told the BBC.

The militants raided the town at dawn and opened fire on security forces, said one resident, asking not to be named for fear of reprisals. “At dawn, they entered the town while people were still asleep. There was a massive shootout downtown. We are sitting in our house listening to the sound of gunfire,” he said. The gunfire was heard near the town’s military camp.

Another resident also said the fighting and shooting could be heard after fighters entered the town, but said he was not aware if there were any casualties.

There was no immediate comment from the Ethiopian government. Attempts to reach the town’s mayor and security officials were unsuccessful, the BBC said.

Yesterday’s fighting came a few days after a federal government drone strike intended for the rebel group leader killed dozens of civilian farmers in the small town of Bila in western Welega, according to witnesses.