Ethiopia's Oromia Region: 60 Christians Killed in Recent Attacks

The death toll from recent violence in central Ethiopia has risen to at least 60, according to church leaders who said the attacks targeted Orthodox Christians in two separate incidents. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s holy synod released the figures on Monday, stating that the killings caused severe injuries to more than 20 people and destroyed 20 homes.

The violence occurred in the Arsi Zone, a region where government forces have engaged in prolonged combat with armed groups. On October 20, 14 people were killed in Gora Silingo, Angada Kebele in Merti district. Four days later, on October 24, an additional 46 people were killed in the villages of Tereta, Chole, and Birbo in Shirka district. Both locations sit within Oromia, Ethiopia’s most populous regional state.

The holy synod described the events as "extremely tragic cruelty and suffering inflicted on our citizens." The church body stated that the attacks violated constitutional rights to life and religious freedom. It warned that the violence threatens the long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faiths in the country.

Local media reports indicate that a regional official has accused a newly formed rebel alliance, which includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), of carrying out the strikes. The OLA has historically denied allegations of targeting civilians. No group has officially claimed responsibility for the October attacks. The Oromia regional government has pledged to hold those responsible accountable.

The recent deaths add to a long record of civilian casualties in the area. In July, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council reported that at least 432 civilians and four local militia members were killed in targeted attacks across East Arsi between 2021 and June 2026. Oromia is home to approximately 40 million people, making it a focal point for national security concerns.

The church has urged security agencies to provide additional protection to affected communities and implement preventive measures to stop further violence. It also called on government institutions to publicly condemn the attacks and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. The holy synod announced that it will seek discussions with senior government officials to address the ongoing security crisis.

Prayers for the victims were held on Monday. The church directed Orthodox congregations and monasteries worldwide to hold similar services on Tuesday following the Divine Liturgy. The synod expressed condolences to the bereaved families and called for urgent actions to allow its followers to live and worship without fear.