At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in a series of targeted attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, according to reports released by church officials. The incidents, which occurred on October 20 and October 24, have drawn sharp condemnation from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The church’s holy synod described the events as a display of extreme cruelty and suffering, lamenting the loss of life and the destruction of property in what is the country’s largest regional state.
According to the detailed report from the church, the initial wave of violence took place on October 20 in Gora Silingo, located within the Merti district, where 14 individuals were killed. Just four days later, on October 24, a second and more deadly attack occurred in the villages of Tereta, Chole, and Birbo in the Shirka district. This second incident resulted in 46 deaths. Both districts involved in these attacks are situated within the Arsi Zone of central Ethiopia.
In addition to the high death toll, the church stated that more than 20 people sustained serious injuries during the violence. The assailants also targeted civilian infrastructure, resulting in 20 homes being burned down. The holy synod emphasized that these acts represent a clear violation of constitutional protections regarding the right to life and religious freedom. Church leaders further expressed concerns that such violence threatens the long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faith groups in Ethiopia.
While no entity has officially claimed responsibility for the killings, local officials have reportedly accused a newly formed rebel alliance, which includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), of orchestrating the violence. It is important to note that the OLA has consistently denied previous allegations of attacking civilians. The regional government of Oromia has acknowledged the tragedy and issued a pledge to track down and prosecute those responsible for these attacks.
The security situation in Oromia, which is home to approximately 40 million people, has been a cause for ongoing concern. For several years, government forces have been engaged in persistent battles with various armed groups operating within the region. The recent bloodshed is consistent with a troubling trend of violence documented in the area. In July, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council reported that at least 432 civilians and four local militia members had been killed in targeted attacks across East Arsi between 2021 and June of this year.
In response to the current crisis, the holy synod has reached out to senior government officials, seeking direct discussions to address the security failures. The church has also issued a series of directives to its members, announcing prayers for the victims and requesting that Orthodox churches and monasteries across the world hold commemorative services. These services were scheduled to follow the Divine Liturgy.
Moving forward, the church is calling for more robust measures from government institutions. Specifically, the synod has urged security agencies to provide enhanced protection for affected communities and to implement preventive strategies to stop further violence. There is an urgent demand for the state to uphold its mandate to ensure that followers of the faith can live and worship without fear of further attacks. As the situation remains tense, authorities face mounting pressure to restore order and deliver justice for the victims and their grieving families.
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