Home · Faith · Nov 1 archive
Ethiopian Orthodox Church Reports Over 60 Christians Killed in Oromia Attacks
· Confirmed
In Short: The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported that more than 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two separate attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported that more than 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two separate attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region, with 14 killed in Merti district on October 20 and another 46 in Sherka district on October 24.
The attacks, which occurred in the Arsi Zone of Oromia, were described as religiously motivated and targeted Orthodox Christians, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said it was monitoring the situation and examining the details, while the Ethiopian Human Rights Council reported that 458 people had been killed in attacks in the area over the previous four years.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's Holy Synod called the killings brutal and merciless, and urged authorities to protect civilians. The church also reported that more than 20 people were seriously wounded and 20 homes were burned down in the two districts.
The Oromo Liberation Front, the main insurgent group operating in Oromia, has not been definitively linked to the attacks, though a rebel coalition identified by Ethiopian authorities as “Tsimido” is believed to be operating in the area.
Catholic bishops in Ethiopia have joined leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in condemning the deadly attacks on Christians in Oromia Regional State.
The Archbishop of Jerusalem affirmed that Christians are part of the history of the country and that the attack would not undermine national unity.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported that 20 houses were burned to the ground in the attacks, with eyewitnesses reporting that five of those killed were children.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's Holy Synod called on the Ethiopian government to intervene after armed assailants killed 60 Orthodox Christians in two separate attacks.
What this adds
The attacks in Oromia have intensified over the past year, with ACLED noting an increase in violence targeting Orthodox Christians since February 2023.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Ethiopian Human Rights Council are monitoring the situation and examining the details of the attacks.
Background
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported that more than 60 Christians were killed in two separate attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region, according to the BBC and Voiceofpersecutedchristians.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported that more than 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two separate attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region, with the attacks occurring on October 20 and 24.
What's confirmed
- At least 60 people have been killed in two attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region in recent days, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church said.
- Reacting to the 24 October attack, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) told AFP that the violence was "believed to be religiously motivated and to have targeted Orthodox Christians", citing the reported looting of an Orthodox church.
- ACLED said attacks against Orthodox Christians in the region had increased since February 2023, with the violence intensifying over the past year.
- In a statement issued on Monday, the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church said 14 worshippers were killed in Merti district on 20 October and another 46 in Sherka district on 24 October.
- The possible involvement of the Oromo Liberation Front, the main insurgent group operating in Oromia, has not been established.
- More than 60 people have been killed in a series of attacks on Christians in Ethiopia's Oromia region, according to the country's Orthodox Church.
- The Ethiopian Human Rights Council, a non-governmental organisation, said in a report released in July 2026 that 458 people had been killed in attacks in that area over the previous four years.
- One resident, whose 75-year-old father was killed, described it as an ambush.
What's still developing
- “The horrific and appalling massacres, forced displacements, and physical and property damage inflicted upon our innocent Orthodox Christian faithful in the Arsi Eparchy and in various other parts of our country have continued unabated and have been worsening over time,” the General Assembly of the Holy Synod in Addis Ababa said in offering condolences.
- Published: 10:35 EDT, 23 October 2026 | Updated: 11:54 EDT, 23 October 2026 Gunmen killed at least seven people and wounded 34 at a church in southern Jordan today in a rare attack on Christians in the majority Sunni Muslim kingdom.
Sources
- Africanewslink
- BBClink
- Churchinneedlink
- EWTN Newslink
- Greekcitytimeslink
- International Christian Concernlink
- Mycharismalink
- OSV Newslink
- Open Doors UK & Irelandlink
- The Pathwaylink
- The SOFX Reportlink
- Thecatholicheraldlink
- Vaticannewslink
- Voice of Persecuted Christianslink
- Worthynewslink
- www.christiantoday.comlink
- FRANCE 24 English — video link