Ethiopian church reports 60 dead in Oromia raids

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church confirmed that 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two separate incidents in the Oromia region. The attacks occurred on October 20 and October 24, 2026, according to a statement from the church's holy synod released on Monday.

Officials broke down the casualties by location and date. Fourteen people died on October 20 in Gora Silingo, which is located in Angada Kebele within Merti district. A second wave of violence on October 24 killed 46 people in the villages of Tereta, Chole, and Birbo in Shirka district. Both districts are part of the Arsi Zone in central Ethiopia.

The synod described the events as a profound violation of constitutional rights, specifically the protections for life and religious freedom. The statement noted that more than 20 individuals sustained serious injuries and that 20 homes were burned during the raids. The church argued that the violence threatened the long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faiths in the area.

In response to the deaths, the holy synod called on government institutions to publicly condemn the attacks. It urged authorities to strengthen civilian protection and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The church also asked security agencies to provide additional protection to the affected communities and to implement preventive measures to stop further violence.

The Oromia regional government stated that it would pursue those responsible for the killings. While no group has immediately claimed responsibility, media reports indicate that a local official accused a newly formed rebel alliance of carrying out the attacks. This alliance includes the Oromo Liberation Army, a group that has previously denied allegations of targeting civilians.

The killings occur in a region of persistent insecurity. Oromia is Ethiopia's largest regional state, with a population of approximately 40 million, and government forces have fought armed groups there for years. In July, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council reported that 432 civilians and four local militia members had been killed in targeted attacks across East Arsi between 2021-22 and June 1 of this year.

The church announced that it would seek discussions with senior government officials to address the security crisis. Prayers for the victims were held on Monday, and Orthodox churches and monasteries worldwide were directed to hold similar services on Tuesday following the Divine Liturgy.