At least sixty Orthodox Christians were killed in separate attacks on October 20 and 24 in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, church officials reported on Monday.
The holy synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church described the violence as extreme cruelty and suffering inflicted on citizens.
More than twenty people sustained serious injuries during the assaults, and twenty homes were burned down.
The synod stated that fourteen people died on October 20 in Gora Silingo, Angada Kebele in Merti district. Another forty-six individuals were killed on October 24 in the villages of Tereta, Chole and Birbo in Shirka district. Both districts lie in the Arsi Zone of central Ethiopia.
The church condemned the killings. It stated they violated constitutional protections for life and religious freedom while threatening the nation’s tradition of peaceful coexistence between faiths.
Church leaders urged government institutions to publicly condemn the violence, strengthen civilian protection and ensure perpetrators face justice. The synod also called on security agencies to provide extra protection to affected communities.
The Oromia regional government pledged to pursue those responsible for the killings. No group claimed immediate responsibility for the violence.
A local official accused a newly formed rebel alliance that includes the Oromo Liberation Army of carrying out the raids, according to media reports. The OLA has previously denied allegations of targeting civilians.
The killings took place in Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest regional state with a population of about forty million, where government forces have fought armed groups for years. 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 and June of this year.
The holy synod announced plans to seek discussions with senior government officials to address the security crisis. The church offered condolences to bereaved families and called for urgent measures to allow followers to live and worship without fear.
After a Monday service, the synod directed Orthodox churches and monasteries worldwide to hold prayers for the victims on Tuesday following the Divine Liturgy.
