More than 60 killed in attacks on Ethiopian Christians, Orthodox Church reports

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported that more than 60 people were killed in attacks targeting Christians in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The Church’s Holy Synod stated that 14 people died in Merti district on 20 October, and another 46 were killed in Shirka district on 24 October. The attacks, described as a “massacre” by a church official, resulted in the destruction of 20 homes. Victims included children and elderly individuals, with witnesses reporting that five children were among those killed.

Residents in the affected areas were caught by surprise, according to a man whose 75-year-old father was among the victims. He told BBC Amharic that attackers surrounded the community from all directions. Security personnel arrived at the scene but were unable to stop the violence. Many residents have since fled the area, seeking safety in nearby villages where some churches provided shelter.

The Shirka attack occurred overnight from Saturday to Sunday, with witnesses describing attackers moving between homes and using firearms and knives. One church was reportedly damaged, while others in the region helped those fleeing the violence. The perpetrators of the attacks remain unidentified, though the regional government has pledged action against those responsible.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church expressed “profound sorrow” over the killings, condemning the violence as inhumane and incompatible with human rights. It called on the government to protect Christians and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Church emphasized that such acts violate constitutional rights to religious freedom and to life, contradicting both religious principles and natural law.

The attacks are part of a broader pattern of violence in the region. A July 2026 report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, a non-governmental organisation, recorded 458 deaths in attacks over the preceding four years. The council described the violence as religiously motivated, with armed groups repeatedly targeting Ethiopian Orthodox Christian communities. The Church warned of a rise in such attacks and urged continued vigilance and protection for vulnerable populations.

Source: Read the original report