Over 40 K!lled In D*adly Attacks On Orthodox Christian Churches And Villages In Ethiopia

More than 40 people have reportedly been killed in attacks on Orthodox Christian communities and villages in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, sparking renewed concerns over security and religiously motivated violence.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the attacks occurred on Saturday, October 24, in the Shirka district of Oromia, approximately 270 kilometres south of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Local residents and the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) conflict-monitoring organisation reported that at least 43 people were killed, while 18 others sustained injuries when an unidentified armed group attacked several villages in the area.

ACLED said the violence was reportedly motivated by religious considerations and specifically targeted members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian community. The organisation added that the incident triggered clashes with local militias and continued into Saturday evening.

One resident described the personal toll of the violence, saying the attack claimed the lives of their sister and uncle, while several other relatives were reportedly taken hostage in Chole ward, within Shirka district.

A deacon from one of the affected churches said the community was devastated by the killings and appealed to the government to intervene urgently to restore security. He put the death toll at 46, higher than the figure reported by other sources.

Oromia, one of Ethiopia’s most populous regions with an estimated population of about 40 million, is home to diverse religious communities, including Muslims, Protestants and Orthodox Christians.

The latest violence comes amid wider security challenges in the country. It follows reports of deadly clashes involving forces from the southern Ethiopian regions of Somali and Oromia, in which several people were also said to have died.

The reported attacks have heightened concerns among residents over the protection of civilians and the need for authorities to investigate the killings, establish responsibility and prevent further violence. The circumstances surrounding the attacks and the reported hostage-taking require further clarification from the relevant authorities.