More than 60 Christians killed in Ethiopia 'massacre', church official says

More than 60 individuals have been killed in a series of attacks on Christians in Ethiopia's Oromia region, according to the country's Orthodox Church.

Key points

• A statement from the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church remarked that 20 houses were burnt to the ground in the attacks.
• The report remarked armed groups had repeatedly targeted local communities, particularly followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, in what it described as religiously motivated attacks.
• While one third are Muslim, regarding two-thirds of Ethiopians are Christians, mostly Orthodox.
• A local official blamed the attacks on a newly formed rebel coalition, the Alliance for Survival.
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One resident, whose 75-year-old father was killed, described it as an ambush. "We were completely unprepared and had no prior knowledge. They surrounded us from all four directions, " he informed BBC Amharic.

According to The regional administration, it would take action against those responsible.

For context, a local official blamed the attacks on a newly formed rebel coalition, the Alliance for Survival. It includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The OLA has not commented but has denied carrying out previous such attacks.

For context, a statement from the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church remarked that 20 houses were burnt to the ground in the attacks. It did not say who was responsible. Eyewitness informed BBC Amharic that five of those killed were children.

Meanwhile, a church official described the attacks on three areas in the Shirka district as a "massacre", saying security forces arrived at the scene but were unable to stop the assault. Plenty of residents have now fled the area.

Condemning the violence, the Orthodox Church remarked attacks against Christians had been increasing lately, and that "such actions undermine the country's values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence".

In an official note posted on Facebook, the Orthodox Church remarked it had repeatedly triggered concern concerning insecurity with authorities at different levels of administration, but that "so far there has been no solution".

Notably, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, a non-governmental organisation, remarked in a report issued in July 2026 that 458 individuals had been killed in attacks in that area over the previous four years.

But this is one of the most deadly attacks in that period.

Notably, the report remarked armed groups had repeatedly targeted local communities, particularly followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, in what it described as religiously motivated attacks.

For context, the administration has previously blamed the OLA for the attacks, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed saying violence targeting civilians and religious institutions was part of a plan to destabilise the country.

Meanwhile, the group, which notes it is fighting for greater rights for the Oromo residents, denies these allegations.

Previous reports have additionally documented attacks against Muslims in the area. Residents who spoke to the BBC on various occasions have described the violence as both ethnic and religious in nature.

While one third are Muslim, regarding two-thirds of Ethiopians are Christians, mostly Orthodox. More regarding Ethiopia from the BBC. How fresh fighting in Tigray could spark wider conflict in Ethiopia.

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Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

Taken together, the developments around more than 60 Christians killed in Ethiopia ' massacre' , church official says point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.