At Least 60 Orthodox Christians Killed in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, Church Says

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — At least 60 Ethiopian Orthodox Christians have been killed in two separate attacks in the country’s Oromia region, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which has called on authorities to strengthen civilian protection and bring those responsible to justice.

The church’s Holy Synod reported that 14 people were killed on October 20 in Gora Silingo, in Merti district, while another 46 died in attacks on October 24 in Tereta, Chole and Birbo, in Shirka district. Both districts are in the Arsi Zone of Oromia.

The church also reported that more than 20 people were seriously injured and 20 homes were burned during the attacks.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, the Holy Synod described the killings as “extremely tragic cruelty and suffering inflicted on our citizens”, expressing sorrow over the deaths and concern about the continuing insecurity affecting local communities.

Church demands protection and justice

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church condemned the attacks, saying they violated the constitutional rights to life and religious freedom and threatened peaceful coexistence among Ethiopia’s religious communities.

The Holy Synod called on government institutions to publicly condemn the violence, strengthen security measures and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

It also urged security agencies to provide additional protection for affected communities and take preventive action to reduce the risk of further attacks.

The church said it would seek discussions with senior government officials to address the security situation and develop measures to protect its members and other civilians.

Memorial prayers were held for the victims, with Orthodox churches and monasteries worldwide directed to organise additional services.

Responsibility for the attacks remains unclear

The Oromia regional government has pledged to pursue those responsible for the killings. However, no group has claimed responsibility, and the perpetrators have not been independently established.

Media reports have cited allegations by a local official blaming a newly formed rebel alliance that includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The allegations remain unverified. The OLA has previously denied accusations of attacking civilians.

The differing claims underline the difficulty of independently verifying events in conflict-affected parts of Ethiopia. The church’s statement identified the locations and casualty figures but did not establish who carried out the attacks.

Long-running insecurity in Oromia

Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest regional state, has experienced years of insecurity involving government forces and armed groups. Violence has affected civilians across several areas, including communities in the Arsi Zone.

In July, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council reported hundreds of people killed in targeted attacks in East Arsi over a period spanning 2021 to June 2026, highlighting the scale of the region’s continuing security challenges.

The latest attacks have renewed calls for effective protection of civilians and accountability for violence against religious communities.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has extended condolences to the families of those killed and urged authorities to take urgent steps to ensure that people can live and worship without fear.

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