Tragic Attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region Leave 60 Dead
In a series of recent violent events, at least 60 individuals have lost their lives in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has labeled the attacks as a “massacre,” highlighting the severe impact on the Christian community.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported that on October 20, 14 people were killed in Merti district, followed by another 46 deaths in Shirka district on October 24, as per the Associated Press.
Alongside the lives lost, 20 homes were reportedly destroyed by fire, with children and the elderly among the victims.
A local individual, whose father aged 75 was among the deceased, recounted to BBC Amharic how the community was caught off guard by the attacks. “We were completely unprepared and had no prior knowledge. They surrounded us from all four directions,” he explained.
Witnesses conveyed to the BBC that among the victims were five children. Despite the arrival of security forces, they were unable to prevent the tragedy, prompting many residents to flee the area.
According to Vatican News, the assault in Shirka occurred overnight from Saturday into Sunday. Attackers reportedly moved through homes using firearms and knives, with at least one church suffering damage. Churches in neighboring villages provided refuge for those escaping the violence.
The identity of the attackers remains unknown, but regional authorities have committed to taking action against those responsible.
In response, the Church has articulated its “profound sorrow” over the events, urging the government to take measures to ensure the safety of Christians and to hold the attackers accountable.
“Such acts are entirely unacceptable under the teachings of any religion and are incompatible with the human rights of all people,” the Church stated.
“They violate the constitutional rights to religious freedom and to life, contradict both religious principles and the natural law of humanity, undermine our national values of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, and constitute inhumane acts that deserve unequivocal condemnation.”
The violence in this region is not an isolated incident. According to a July 2026 report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, which was referenced by the BBC, 458 deaths were recorded in similar attacks over the last four years. The council indicated that the violence is largely religiously motivated, with Ethiopian Orthodox Christians frequently targeted.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
