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At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in separate attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, according to church officials. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s holy synod condemned the violence as "extremely tragic cruelty," noting that more than 20 people were injured and 20 homes burned down during the incidents on October 20 and 24 .
The killings occurred in two distinct waves within the Arsi Zone of central Oromia. On October 20, 14 people died in Gora Silingo, Merti district. Four days later, 46 others were killed in the villages of Tereta, Chole, and Birbo in Shirka district . The holy synod stated that these attacks violated constitutional protections for life and religious freedom, threatening Ethiopia’s tradition of peaceful coexistence among different faiths.
While no group has claimed responsibility, a local official accused a newly formed rebel alliance including the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) of carrying out the attacks . The OLA has previously denied allegations of attacking civilians. These events occur amid continuing insecurity in Oromia, home to approximately 40 million people, where government forces have battled armed groups for years. The Ethiopian Human Rights Council reported earlier this year that at least 432 civilians had been killed in targeted attacks across East Arsi between 2021 and June 2026.
The Oromia regional government pledged to pursue those responsible. The holy synod called on government institutions to strengthen civilian protection and ensure justice is served. It also announced prayers for the victims and directed churches worldwide to hold similar services. The church expressed condolences to bereaved families and urged urgent measures to ensure followers can worship without fear.