Sixty Orthodox Christian Civilians Killed in Two Attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia Region

Sixty members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church have been killed in two separate armed attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region, according to an official statement issued by the Church's Holy Synod.

The statement, released on October 26, 2026, detailed attacks on civilian communities in the Merti and Shirka districts of Arsi Zone.

Church authorities reported that 60 people were killed, more than 20 suffered severe injuries requiring hospital treatment, and 20 residential homes were completely burned down.

The Church said the victims were innocent Orthodox Christian civilians.

Fourteen killed in first attack on October 20

According to information received by the Holy Synod from the Arsi Eparchy, the first attack occurred on October 20 in Gora Silingo, located in Angada Kebele of Merti district.

Fourteen Orthodox Christian civilians were killed in the attack.

The incident heightened security concerns among communities already affected by prolonged instability in parts of the region.

No comprehensive official figures have been released on displacement following the first attack.

Second attack leaves 46 dead in Shirka

The second and deadlier assault took place on October 24 in the communities of Tereta, Chole and Birbo in Shirka district.

The Church confirmed that 46 people were killed during the attack, bringing the combined death toll to 60.

Witnesses interviewed by BBC Amharic reported that children were among those killed, with one account identifying five child victims.

A resident who lost his 75-year-old father described the attackers surrounding the community, leaving inhabitants with little warning before the assault.

Homes destroyed and survivors hospitalized

The Holy Synod reported that more than 20 people sustained serious injuries and were receiving treatment in hospitals.

Twenty homes belonging to Orthodox Christian residents were completely burned down.

Local accounts also indicated that some families fled the affected communities because of continued insecurity.

The attacks have renewed concerns about the vulnerability of rural civilian populations in Arsi Zone.

Conflicting accusations over responsibility

Oromia regional government spokesperson Hailu Adugna accused the Oromo Liberation Army and associated armed groups of carrying out the attacks.

Regional authorities claimed the violence was intended to provoke ethnic and religious tensions.

However, a source linked to an opposition armed alliance separately accused the Oromia regional government of responsibility in comments reported by Reuters.

Neither accusation has been independently established.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church did not identify the perpetrators in its official statement.

Church demands protection and accountability

The Holy Synod strongly condemned the attacks and urged federal and regional security authorities to take immediate action to protect civilians.

Church leaders emphasized the constitutional rights to life and freedom of religion and called for those responsible to be apprehended and prosecuted.

Oromia authorities said action would be taken against the perpetrators.

The latest attacks have intensified concerns about civilian safety and the impact of armed violence on communities across Ethiopia's Oromia region.