The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church says at least 60 Christians were killed in two attacks in Oromia’s Arsi Zone on October 20 and 24, with homes burned and dozens injured.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod said at least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two separate attacks in Oromia’s Arsi Zone. Fourteen died in Merti Woreda on October 20 and 46 in Shirka Woreda on October 24, according to the church statement issued Monday. More than 20 homes were burned and more than 20 people were hospitalised with severe injuries.
The Holy Synod described the killings as extremely tragic cruelty inflicted on innocent faithful and warned that attacks targeting Orthodox Christians in Arsi and other areas have continued to escalate. Church officials called on the federal and regional governments to condemn the violence, protect civilians, and bring those responsible to justice. Memorial prayers were ordered for October 27 across churches worldwide.
Regional authorities and sources linked to a rebel alliance traded accusations. The Oromia regional government blamed a rebel alliance that includes the Oromo Liberation Army for attempting to spark religious conflict, while a source tied to the alliance attributed the killings to regional forces, citing local residents. The Oromo Liberation Army has not commented and has denied previous similar attacks.
The church’s account of the death toll, locations, dates, burned homes, and injuries matches the details published by Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, and Addis Standard. No independent on-the-ground confirmation of the exact casualty figures has been released beyond the church statement and local official comments; the identity of the attackers remains disputed between the regional government and rebel-linked sources.
The attacks deepen long-running insecurity in Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest region, where government forces have clashed with armed groups for years and previous incidents involving Orthodox communities have been reported. The church’s call for government meetings and its order for global memorial prayers indicate it views the violence as part of a pattern requiring sustained official response rather than isolated events.
People Sentiments Public Mood: Negative
- Church Synod: extremely tragic cruelty and suffering
- Regional government: rebel alliance trying to spark religious conflict
- Rebel-linked source: regional government carried out the killings