Ethiopia's Oromia: Orthodox church reports 60 deaths in twin attacks

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s holy synod announced on Monday that at least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two separate attacks in the Oromia region. The violence occurred on October 20 and October 24, shaking the Arsi Zone in central Ethiopia. Church officials described the events as a source of immense pain for the local community.

The synod detailed the toll of the first incident, which took place on October 20 in Gora Silingo, Angada Kebele, within Merti district. Fourteen people lost their lives in that strike. A second, larger attack followed on October 24 in the villages of Tereta, Chole, and Birbo in Shirka district, killing 46 more people. The two districts are situated close to each other in the Arsi Zone.

Beyond the fatalities, the church reported that more than 20 residents suffered serious injuries. Twenty homes were burned down during the assaults. The holy synod called the situation “extremely tragic cruelty and suffering inflicted on our citizens.” The damage to property and people underscores the severity of the recent violence in the area.

The church leadership condemned the attacks as violations of constitutional rights to life and religious freedom. They stated that the killings threatened the long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faiths in Ethiopia. The synod urged government institutions to publicly denounce the violence and strengthen civilian protection. They also demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.

The Oromia regional government pledged to pursue the perpetrators. While no group has immediately claimed responsibility, media reports indicate that a local official accused a newly formed rebel alliance including the Oromo Liberation Army. The OLA has previously denied attacking civilians. The attacks continue a pattern of insecurity in Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest regional state with a population of approximately 40 million.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Council reported in July that at least 432 civilians and four local militia members were killed in targeted attacks across East Arsi between 2021-22 and June 1 of this year. The holy synod said it would seek discussions with senior government officials to address the ongoing security crisis. The church expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

The synod announced prayers for the victims on Monday. It directed Orthodox churches and monasteries worldwide to hold similar services on Tuesday following the Divine Liturgy. The church called for urgent measures to ensure its followers can live and worship without fear.