ADDIS ABABA — At least 60 Christians were killed in two attacks on villages in Ethiopia’s Oromia region in the past week, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church said on Monday. Fourteen people were killed in Merti district on October 20 and 46 in Shirka district on October 24, both in the Arsi Zone, according to the church’s Holy Synod. No group has claimed responsibility, and the regional government and a source linked to a rebel alliance have traded blame, according to Reuters.
Zark News reported the church’s account in its story on the attacks.
Why it matters
The attacks are among the deadliest in this area in recent years, according to the BBC. The Ethiopian Human Rights Council said in a July 2026 report that 458 people had been killed in attacks in that area over the previous four years. The church says attacks on Christians have been increasing and that it has repeatedly raised insecurity with authorities without a solution so far.
What we know
- The toll, as stated by the church: the Holy Synod said 14 believers were killed in Merti on October 20 and 46 in Shirka on October 24, more than 20 people were hospitalised with severe injuries, and more than 20 homes were burned, according to Reuters. The Associated Press carried the same figures.
- Survivors describe an ambush: a church official called the attacks on three areas in Shirka a “massacre,” saying security forces arrived but could not stop the assault, according to the BBC. Eyewitnesses said five of those killed were children, and many residents have since fled.
- The church did not name an attacker: the Holy Synod condemned the killings and called on authorities to protect civilians, but its statement did not say who was responsible, according to Reuters and the BBC.
- The accused alliance is new: the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) is one of seven armed groups that announced last month that they had formed an alliance — named in reporting as the Alliance for Survival — aimed at overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government, according to Reuters.
What we still don’t know
- Who carried out the attacks: no group has claimed responsibility. A local official blamed the rebel alliance that includes the OLA, and the regional government said the alliance acted to try to spark religious conflict — without providing evidence, according to Reuters.
- The counter-claim is also unverified: a source linked to the rebel alliance said the regional government had carried out the killings, citing conversations with two local residents, according to Reuters. Neither side’s claim has been independently verified.
- What the OLA says: the OLA has not commented on these attacks, according to Reuters and the BBC; it has denied carrying out previous such attacks. The Associated Press said it could not be reached for comment.
- Whether the toll is final: figures from the remote area varied in early reports. The 60 figure is the church’s Monday statement — not an independently counted total.
- Why the attack was not stopped: the church official’s account of security forces arriving in Shirka is not yet matched by a detailed official account of the response.
What’s next
The regional government said it would take action against those responsible and, according to the Associated Press, pledged help for people wounded or displaced. The church has called on authorities to condemn the killings publicly and prevent further violence. What matters next is any investigation finding and whether displaced families can return safely.
Timeline
- July 2026: the Ethiopian Human Rights Council reports 458 people killed in attacks in the area over the previous four years.
- September 2026: seven armed groups, including the OLA, form an alliance aimed at removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government, according to the Associated Press.
- October 20, 2026: 14 people are killed in Merti district, Arsi Zone, according to the Holy Synod.
- October 24, 2026: 46 people are killed in Shirka district, according to the Holy Synod.
- October 26, 2026: the Holy Synod issues its statement giving a combined toll of at least 60 and calling for protection.
- October 27, 2026: Reuters, the BBC and the Associated Press report the statement; the regional government and a rebel-linked source trade blame, and no group claims responsibility.
Sources: Zark News reporting; Reuters; BBC (including BBC Amharic); Associated Press; Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Holy Synod statement.
