Dozens of Orthodox Christians killed in attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region

At least 60 people were killed in attacks on Orthodox Christian communities in Ethiopia's Oromia region in the last week of October. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported the deaths, and a church official called the violence a "massacre".

The figures differ in how they are divided. Christian Today reports that the Church counted 14 dead in Merti district on 20 October and 46 more in Shirka district on 24 October. Vatican News puts the full toll of at least 60 in Shirka alone and calls it provisional. Shirka lies in the Arsi area, about 270 km south of Addis Ababa.

Witnesses described an overnight assault from Saturday into Sunday. Attackers moved from house to house and used firearms and knives. The victims included children and elderly people. A man who lost his 75-year-old father told BBC Amharic that residents were surrounded from every side. Witnesses said five children were among the dead.

The Church's Holy Synod said 20 homes were burned. One church was reportedly damaged. Churches in neighbouring villages took in people fleeing the violence, and many residents have left the area. A church official said security personnel reached the scene but could not stop the attack.

Ethiopian authorities point to a rebel coalition they call "Tsimido". It is said to include the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the Amhara Fano militias and the Oromo Liberation Army, which Addis Ababa classes as a terrorist organisation. Officials accuse it of stirring ethnic and religious tension to distract from losses in the north. They say it allied with rebels in Tigray about a month ago. Christian Today notes that it remains unclear who carried out the attacks. The regional government has promised action against those responsible.

The area is home to Muslims, Protestants and Orthodox Christians. It has seen repeated bloodshed. Vatican News recalls an attack between late May and early June that killed about 11 people, which authorities blamed on the Oromo Liberation Army. A July 2026 report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Council recorded 458 deaths in attacks there over four years. It said armed groups had repeatedly targeted communities, especially Orthodox Christians, and called the violence religiously motivated.

In its statement the Church voiced "profound sorrow" and warned of a rise in attacks on Christians. It asked the government to protect them and bring the perpetrators to justice. It said the killings violate constitutional rights to life and religious freedom.

Compiled from the reports below. Read the originals.