Attacks kill at least 60 Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia, church says
Summary
Two attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region killed at least 60 Orthodox Christians, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The church urged authorities to protect civilians and hold those responsible accountable as local officials blamed the Oromo Liberation Army.
Key Points
- The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church said 14 people were killed in Merti district on Oct. 20 and 46 more in Shirka district on Saturday.
- More than 20 people were seriously wounded and 20 homes were burned down in the attacks, which the church described as brutal massacres.
- Oromia regional government spokesperson Hailu Adugna blamed the Oromo Liberation Army, though he provided no evidence in the statement.
- The violence comes amid a long-running conflict in Oromia between government forces and the OLA, with civilians facing killings, extortion and kidnapping.
