At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in separate attacks on October 20 and 24 in Ethiopia's Oromia region, according to church officials.1,3
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's holy synod said on Monday that the killings were "extremely tragic cruelty and suffering inflicted on our citizens," and that more than 20 people were seriously injured and 20 homes burned down. Al Jazeera put the death toll at least 60, while the BBC, citing the church, put it at more than 60 people in a series of attacks on Christians.1,3
Al Jazeera reported the church's count in detail: 14 people were killed on October 20 in Gora Silingo, Angada Kebele in Merti district, and 46 were killed on October 24 in the villages of Tereta, Chole and Birbo in Shirka district. Both districts are in the Arsi Zone of central Oromia.1
A resident whose 75-year-old father was killed described the attack to BBC Amharic as an ambush. "We were completely unprepared and had no prior knowledge. They surrounded us from all four directions," he said. An eyewitness told BBC Amharic that five of those killed were children.3
A church official described the attacks on three areas in the Shirka district as a "massacre" and said security forces arrived at the scene but were unable to stop the assault. Many residents have now fled the area.3
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, and the church's statement did not say who was responsible. A local official blamed a newly formed rebel alliance that includes the Oromo Liberation Army, or OLA. The BBC named the coalition as the Alliance for Survival, while Al Jazeera, citing media reports, described it as a newly formed rebel alliance that includes the OLA.1,3
The OLA has not commented, the BBC said, but has denied carrying out previous attacks of this kind, and Al Jazeera said the group had previously denied allegations of attacking civilians. The group says it is fighting for greater rights for the Oromo people. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has previously said that violence targeting civilians and religious institutions was part of a plan to destabilise the country, and the government has previously blamed the OLA for such attacks.1,3
The Oromia regional government has pledged to pursue those responsible for the killings. The church called on government institutions to publicly condemn the attacks, strengthen civilian protection and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. It said the attacks violated constitutional protections for life and religious freedom, and it urged security agencies to provide additional protection to affected communities.1,3
In a statement posted on Facebook, the church said it had repeatedly raised concerns about insecurity with authorities at different levels of government, but that "so far there has been no solution." It said attacks against Christians had been increasing recently, and that "such actions undermine the country's values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence."3
The killings come amid continuing insecurity in Oromia, Ethiopia's largest regional state and home to some 40 million people, where government forces have been battling armed groups for years. Previous reports have also documented attacks against Muslims in the area, and residents who spoke to the BBC have described the violence as both ethnic and religious in nature. About two-thirds of Ethiopians are Christians, mostly Orthodox, while one third are Muslim.1,3
Al Jazeera reported that the Ethiopian Human Rights Council said in July that at least 432 civilians and four local militia members had been killed in targeted attacks across East Arsi between 2021-22 and June 1 of this year. The BBC put the council's figure at 458 people killed in attacks in that area over the previous four years. According to the BBC, the council's report said armed groups had repeatedly targeted local communities, particularly followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, in what it described as religiously motivated attacks.1,3
The holy synod said it would seek discussions with senior government officials to address the security crisis. It announced prayers for the victims on Monday and directed Orthodox churches and monasteries worldwide to hold similar services on Tuesday, following the Divine Liturgy. The church expressed condolences to the bereaved families and called for urgent measures to ensure that its followers could live and worship without fear.1
