Dozens of Orthodox Christians Reported Killed in Attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia Region

Dozens of members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church have reportedly been killed in armed attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region, according to international media reports.

Reported casualty figures vary. The BBC reported that more than 60 Orthodox Christians were killed. India's NDTV reported that more than 40 people died in armed attacks targeting Orthodox churches. BBC Amharic reported that the killings took place in two separate attacks. Addis Gazette has not been able to independently verify the death toll or the locations of the attacks.

What is known so far

According to the available reports:

• The victims are reported to be members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
• The attacks took place in the Oromia region.
• At least one outlet described the attacks as targeting Orthodox churches.
• Reported death tolls range from more than 40 to more than 60.

Responsibility for the killings had not been established at the time of writing. It was not immediately clear whether federal or regional authorities, or the leadership of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, had commented on the attacks.

Calls for action

An opinion piece published by Borkena, a diaspora-focused news site, called on Christian leaders and on the leaders of the United States and Russia to press for an end to the killing of Christians in Ethiopia. The piece reflects the views of its author and is not an official statement.

Background

Oromia, Ethiopia's largest region, has experienced prolonged insecurity in recent years. Federal forces have been fighting the armed group known as the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in several areas. Rights organisations and local residents have repeatedly reported killings, abductions and displacement of civilians, and government forces and armed groups have accused each other of abuses. Earlier attacks in the region have affected communities of different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the country's largest Christian denomination. Previous attacks on its clergy, worshippers and places of worship have prompted public anger and calls for stronger protection of religious communities.

Independent reporting from conflict-affected parts of Oromia is often difficult. Access restrictions and communication disruptions can delay confirmation of events, and early casualty figures may change as more information emerges.

Questions remaining

Key details remain unclear, including the exact locations and timing of the attacks, the identity of the perpetrators, and whether people were also wounded, abducted or displaced. It is also not yet known what security measures authorities plan to take in the affected areas.

Addis Gazette will update this report as verified information becomes available.

Source: BBC