60 Christians Murdered in Ethiopia Amid Years of Targeted Attacks

At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two recent attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, with witnesses reporting house-to-house killings. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church condemned the violence and urged authorities to provide security. Regional authorities have blamed the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an insurgent group, though the OLA denies targeting civilians.

• At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two separate attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.
• The attacks occurred in Merti and Shirka districts, with homes burned and churches damaged.
• Witnesses described attackers going house to house, killing residents.
• The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church condemned the killings and called for increased security.
• Regional authorities blame the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) for the attacks.
• The OLA denies targeting civilians and suggests “mercenaries” are responsible.
• The violence is part of a pattern of targeted attacks against Orthodox Christians in the region.
• The Ethiopian Human Rights Council documented at least 432 civilian deaths between 2021 and 2026, with Orthodox Christians being the principal victims.