The attack occurred at 6am on February 2, and lasted until February 4.[6] The OLA militants were dressed in Ethiopian army uniforms, and entered Ano from three different directions.[7] They began going house to house in the city and in the refugee camp and rounding up men.[6][8] The area of the city that was targeted was the "Monday Market" neighborhood, where mixed Amhara and Oromo civilians lived, and the IDP camp.[7] Civilians were targeted because of their Amhara identity.[6] As soon as they entered the town, the OLA began shooting sporadically.[6] An Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report said that 42 of the victims were displaced people, which the OLA deemed government supporters.[6] Three children and three women were killed as well.[6] The men targeted in the refugee camp were on the outskirts of the camp at the time, and had no ability to escape the attacks.[6][8] An unnamed Oromia regional official and his driver were killed, along with a local policemen and pro-government militiamen.[6] OLA militants burned the bodies of the men after killing them.[7] Businesses, including a Commercial Bank of Ethiopia location, were targeted and destroyed.[8] At least 50 people were killed and eight people were injured in the attack.[8][7]
The Ethiopian government sent troops from Nekemte, and regained control of Ano on February 4.[6] Eight young men suspected of collaborating with the OLA were killed by Ethiopian troops.[7] Government forces located in Ano attempted to stop the attack, but were outnumbered.[6] The OLA claimed responsibility for the attack, but said that they targeted "Amhara forces in training."[6]
Oromo Liberation Army