Gunmen kill 60 Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia's Oromia region

At least 60 Orthodox Christians have been killed in a series of coordinated attacks in the Shirka district of Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church condemned the violence, which occurred in late October, describing the events as a "massacre" characterized by extreme cruelty and the deliberate targeting of civilians. The church expressed deep distress over the suffering inflicted on citizens, noting that the coordinated nature of the assaults indicates a targeted campaign against the religious community.

According to church officials and eyewitness reports, the attackers unexpectedly surrounded the area and launched a violent assault that resulted in the destruction of 20 homes and left more than 20 individuals with serious injuries. Among those confirmed dead are at least five children. The scale of the destruction has left many families displaced and the local community in a state of shock, as survivors describe an environment of fear following the sudden invasion.

While the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has cited a growing trend of violence against its members, responsibility for these specific attacks remains a point of contention. Local officials have attributed the killings to a rebel coalition operating in the region, though no specific group has formally claimed responsibility. The Ethiopian Human Rights Council has observed that such incidents are part of a sustained pattern of violence in Oromia that continues to threaten lives and property across various districts.

The church has warned that these attacks represent a grave threat to Ethiopia’s national stability and long-standing religious harmony. Leaders are calling for increased security measures to protect religious minorities and a thorough investigation into the massacre to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable. The situation remains tense as the region continues to grapple with ongoing insecurity and the potential for escalating ethnic and religious tensions if the violence is not contained.