Church officials say more than 20 people were injured, while 20 homes were burned due to religious tensions.
Published on October 27, 2026
At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in separate attacks October 20 and 24 in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, church officials reported.
The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on Monday described the killings as “extremely tragic cruelty and suffering inflicted on our citizens.” More than 20 people were seriously injured and 20 houses were burned during these attacks, the press release added.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
The church said 14 people were killed on October 20 in Gora Silingo, Angada Kebele, in Merti district, while 46 others were killed on October 24 in Tereta, Chole and Birbo villages in Shirka district. Both districts are located in Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, central Ethiopia.
The Holy Synod condemned the killings, saying the attacks violated constitutional protections of life and religious freedom and threatened Ethiopia’s tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faiths.
He called on government institutions to publicly condemn these attacks, strengthen the protection of civilians and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The Church also urged security agencies to provide additional protection to affected communities and take preventive measures against further violence.
The Oromia regional government has vowed to prosecute those responsible for the killings.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for these attacks.
According to media reports, a local official accused a newly formed rebel alliance, which includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), of carrying out the attacks. The OLA has previously denied allegations of attacks against civilians.
The killings come amid persistent insecurity in Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest regional state and home to some 40 million people, where government forces have been battling armed groups for years.
In July, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council reported that at least 432 civilians and four local militia members had been killed in targeted attacks in Eastern Arsi between 2021 and 2022 and June 1 of this year.
The Holy Synod said it would seek talks with senior government officials to resolve the security crisis.
He also announced prayers for the victims on Monday and ordered Orthodox churches and monasteries around the world to hold similar services on Tuesday, after the Divine Liturgy.
The Church expressed its condolences to the bereaved families and called for urgent measures to ensure that its faithful can live and pray without fear.
Gn world
