Attackers Kill 60 in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, Orthodox Church Says

At least 60 people were killed in two separate attacks in Ethiopia’s conflict-hit Oromia region, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which has called on authorities to protect civilians and bring those responsible to justice.

The church said 14 people were killed in Merti district on October 20, while another 46 died in attacks in Sherka district on October 24. Both districts are in the Arsi Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest regional state.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, the church’s Holy Synod said more than 20 homes were burned and more than 20 people sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital. It identified the victims as Orthodox Christians but did not provide further details about the circumstances of the killings.

Responsibility for the attacks remained disputed on Tuesday, with the Oromia regional government and a source linked to a newly formed rebel alliance trading accusations.

The regional government blamed the rebel alliance, alleging that the attacks were intended to provoke religious conflict. It did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation. A source connected to the alliance, meanwhile, accused the regional government of carrying out the killings, citing conversations with two local residents.

The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an armed group that the regional government has previously accused of attacks on Orthodox Christians, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to Reuters. No group had publicly claimed responsibility for the latest attacks at the time of reporting.

The church condemned the killings and urged federal and regional authorities to publicly denounce the violence, strengthen security in affected communities and ensure that the perpetrators were prosecuted.

It also called for measures to protect the lives and religious freedom of Orthodox Christians and prevent further attacks. The Holy Synod announced memorial prayers for the victims in churches and monasteries, while seeking discussions with senior government officials on measures to address the security situation.

The killings come amid persistent insecurity in Oromia, where government forces have battled armed groups for years. The violence has contributed to civilian deaths, displacement and damage to property across parts of the region.

The OLA is among seven armed groups that announced the formation of an alliance last month, saying they sought to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. The development has added to concerns over Ethiopia’s security situation, which has also been affected by tensions and conflict in other regions.

The latest attacks have renewed calls for stronger civilian protection and accountability. However, with responsibility still contested, the circumstances surrounding the killings and the identity of those who carried them out remain to be independently established.