At least 60 people were killed in two separate attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region over the past week, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, as questions remain over who carried out the killings.
In a report published on 27 October, Reuters reported that the church’s Holy Synod said 14 Christians were killed in Merti Woreda on 20 October, while another 46 were killed in Sherka Woreda on 24 October.
The church also reported that more than 20 homes were burned and more than 20 people were hospitalised with serious injuries. It did not provide details establishing who carried out the attacks or the precise circumstances of the deaths.
Conflicting Claims Over Responsibility
Oromia’s regional government blamed a rebel alliance linked to armed groups in northern Tigray, alleging that the attacks were intended to provoke religious conflict. However, Reuters reported that the government did not provide evidence to substantiate the accusation.
A source connected to the rebel alliance instead accused the regional government of responsibility, citing conversations with two local residents. That claim has also not been independently verified.
The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which the regional government has previously blamed for attacks on Orthodox Christians, did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
The competing accusations leave responsibility for the latest killings unresolved. Neither allegation should be treated as an established finding without independent evidence.
Civilian Safety Remains a Concern
Oromia has experienced prolonged insecurity involving government forces and armed groups. The reported deaths and destruction add to concerns about civilian protection in the region.
The church said the victims were Christians, but the religious identity of those killed does not, on its own, establish the motive behind the attacks. Investigations would be needed to determine whether the violence was religiously motivated or connected to the wider conflict.
The reported injuries and damage to homes also raise immediate concerns for affected families who may need medical assistance, shelter and protection.
