Senior officials killed in coup attempt in Ethiopia

 At least two senior Ethiopian officials were killed during an attempt by an army general to seize power in Ethiopia's northern state of Amhara, state television reported on Sunday.

Speaking on state television late on Saturday, Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy announced there had been an attempted coup in Amhara's capital Bahir Dar earlier that day and that Ethiopia's Chief of Staff General Seare Mekonnen was among the casualties.

"He was shot by people who are close to him," Abiy said. According to Abiy, regional government officials were in a meeting when a coup attempt occurred.

It was unclear whether Seare had survived. Both the head of Amhara's regional government, Ambachew Mekonnen, and his advisor, were killed, state media reported early Sunday. The coup attempt was orchestrated by General Asamnew Tsige, the region's head of security, state media repoorted.

Abiy said Seare had been shot while trying to fend off the attackers. The prime minister's press secretary, Billene Seyoum, told Reuters later that it was unclear whether General Seare had been killed or wounded but a regional television broadcaster reported Seare had been killed, alongside another senior military official, Gize Abera.

Since coming to power last year, Abiy has tried to spearhead political reforms, to open up the once isolated, security-obsessed country of 100 million people on the Horn of Africa.

Abiy has released political prisoners, removed bans on political parties and prosecuted officials accused of gross human rights abuses, but his government is battling mounting violence.

Ethnic bloodshed - long held in check by the state's iron grip - has flared up in many areas, including Amhara, where the regional government was led by Ambachew Mekonnen.

According to Abiy, regional government officials were in a meeting when a coup attempt occurred.

"There are a few people who were killed while others were injured," Abiy said.

A regional television broadcaster affiliated with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), a member of Abiy's coalition, reported Seare had been killed, alongside another senior military official, Gize Abera.

The U.S. Embassy said on Saturday that it was aware of reports of gunfire in Addis Ababa, though Reuters could not confirm those reports.

"Chief of Mission personnel are advised to shelter in place," the Embassy said on its website.

Early on Sunday, Brigadier General Tefera Mamo, the head of special forces in Amhara, told state television that "most of the people who attempted the coup have been arrested, although there are a few still at large."

Residents in Amhara's capital Bahir Dar said late on Saturday there was gunfire in some neighbourhoods and some roads had been closed off.

Ethiopia is due to hold a national parliamentary election next year. Several opposition groups have called for the polls to be held on time despite the unrest and displacement.