60 Orthodox Christians killed in Ethiopia attack

At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in double attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, the country’s Orthodox Church said.

More than 20 people were seriously wounded and 20 homes were burned down, the church said, describing the killings as “brutal and merciless massacres” while urging authorities to protect civilians and bring those responsible to justice.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod on Monday said that 14 people were killed in Merti district on Oct. 20 and a further 46 in Shirka district on Oct. 24. Both districts are in Oromia’s Arsi Zone. 

The church said that the attacks violated constitutional protections for religious freedom and the right to life. It called on authorities to publicly condemn the killings and prevent further violence. 

Oromia regional government spokesperson Hailu Adugna expressing sorrow over the deaths blamed the Oromo Liberation Army, or OLA, for the attacks. He accused the rebels and their allies of trying to provoke ethnic and religious conflict to divert attention from military losses in northern Ethiopia. He presented no evidence supporting the accusations in the statement.

Adugna said that regional authorities had begun taking action against those responsible. He pledged assistance to people wounded or displaced.

The OLA is one of seven groups in the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, formed in September with the aim of removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. Other members include the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Amhara Fano National Movement.

Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest regio and home to roughly 40 million people, has endured a conflict between government forces and the OLA since 2018. Other armed groups and criminal gangs also operate there, with civilians facing killings, extortion and kidnapping.