Today in history: #Yekatit12. On Feb 19, 1937, two Eritreans, Abraha & Moges, attempted to assassinate Graziani, Governor of Italian East Africa, during his reception in Addis. Italians retaliated w open fire on civilians. 30,000 were killed in 3 days. #Ethiopia #Eritrea (1/5) 
Making it one of the worst Massacres in #Africa history.
The Italian Federal-Secretary Cortese gave the order saying "For three days I give you carte blanche to destroy and kill and do what you want to the Ethiopians". Locals were indiscriminately beheaded, hanged, and shot (2/5)
The Italian Federal-Secretary Cortese gave the order saying "For three days I give you carte blanche to destroy and kill and do what you want to the Ethiopians". Locals were indiscriminately beheaded, hanged, and shot (2/5)
Abraha, Moges & their driver Simeyon escaped the scene and hid at the Debre Libranos monastery. After that, the 2 Eritreans started their journey to #Sudan but were killed in Gojam by locals suspicious of outsiders. The driver was found by Italians and tortured to death. (3/5)
When the news caught global attention, Mussolini ordered the killing and arresting of college students & intellectuals. Hundreds were sent to harsh prisons the most severe being Nakura Island, Eritrea, where they suffered from a scarcity of fresh water (4/5)
Months later in May, the Italians learned that Abraha, Moges, and Simeyon sought asylum at Debre Libanos. Graziani ordered the execution of ALL Monks at Debre Libanos. (5/5)
More info:
- 📖 Haile Selassie's War by Anthony Mockler
- 📖 Italian Fascist War Crimes in Ethiopia by Richard Pankhurst
- 📖 The Addis Ababa Massacre: Italy's National Shame -
- 📖 Haile Selassie's War by Anthony Mockler
- 📖 Italian Fascist War Crimes in Ethiopia by Richard Pankhurst
- 📖 The Addis Ababa Massacre: Italy's National Shame -
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