Sixty Christians killed in Ethiopia’s Oromia region

At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in separate attacks on October 20 and 24 in Ethiopia's Oromia region, church authorities noted.

Key points

• The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's holy synod on Monday described the killings as "extremely tragic cruelty and suffering inflicted on our citizens".
• After the Divine Liturgy, it additionally unveiled prayers for the victims on Monday and directed Orthodox churches and monasteries worldwide to hold similar services on Tuesday.
• Both districts are located in the Arsi Zone in central Ethiopia's Oromia region.
• According to media reports, a local official accused a newly formed rebel alliance that includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) of carrying out the attacks.
• The Oromia regional administration has pledged to pursue those responsible for the killings.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's holy synod on Monday described the killings as "extremely tragic cruelty and suffering inflicted on our citizens". More than 20 individuals were seriously injured and 20 homes burned down in the attacks, it went on.

While another 46 were killed on October 24 in the villages of Tereta, Chole and Birbo in Shirka district, the church remarked 14 residents were killed on October 20 in Gora Silingo, Angada Kebele in Merti district. Both districts are located in the Arsi Zone in central Ethiopia's Oromia region.

In practice, the holy synod condemned the killings, saying the attacks violated constitutional protections for life and religious freedom, and threatened Ethiopia's tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faiths.

It called on administration institutions to publicly condemn the attacks, strengthen civilian protection and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

For context, the church additionally called on security agencies to provide extra protection to affected communities and take preventive measures against further violence.

Notably, the Oromia regional administration has pledged to pursue those responsible for the killings. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.

According to media reports, a local official accused a newly formed rebel alliance that includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) of carrying out the attacks. The OLA has previously denied allegations of attacking civilians.

Notably, the killings come against the backdrop of continuing insecurity in Oromia, Ethiopia's largest regional state and home to some 40 million, where administration forces have been battling armed groups for years.

In July, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council documented that at least 432 civilians and four local militia members had been killed in targeted attacks throughout East Arsi between 2021-22 and June 1 this year.

Notably, the holy synod remarked it would seek discussions with senior administration authorities to address the security crisis.

Meanwhile, the church expressed condolences to the bereaved families and pressed urgent measures to ensure that its followers could live and worship without fear.

For now, sixty Christians killed in Ethiopia's Oromia region remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.