Ethiopian Church Reports 60 Dead in Central Oromia Raids

Sixty Orthodox Christians died in two separate attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, according to a report released by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on Monday. The church’s holy synod stated that the violence occurred on October 20 and October 24, resulting in what it described as “extremely tragic cruelty and suffering inflicted on our citizens.”

The synod broke down the casualties by location. Fourteen people were killed on October 20 in Gora Silingo, Angada Kebele, within Merti district. A second wave of violence on October 24 in the villages of Tereta, Chole, and Birbo in Shirka district claimed 46 lives. Both districts are situated in the Arsi Zone, which lies in central Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The attacks also left more than 20 individuals seriously injured and burned 20 homes to the ground.

Church leaders said the killings violated constitutional protections for life and religious freedom. They argued that the violence threatened the country’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faiths. The synod called on government institutions to publicly condemn the incidents, strengthen the protection of civilians, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. They also urged security agencies to deploy additional forces to the affected communities to prevent further violence.

The Oromia regional government has pledged to pursue those responsible for the killings. While no group immediately claimed responsibility, media reports cited a local official who accused a newly formed rebel alliance including the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The OLA has previously denied allegations of targeting civilians in its conflicts.

These deaths add to a record of insecurity in Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest regional state, which is home to approximately 40 million people. Government forces have battled armed groups in the area for years. 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 late 2021 and June 1 of this year.

The holy synod announced plans to seek discussions with senior government officials to address the ongoing security crisis. It also directed Orthodox churches and monasteries worldwide to hold special prayers for the victims on Tuesday, following the Divine Liturgy. The church expressed condolences to the bereaved families and called for urgent measures to allow its followers to live and worship without fear.