At least 60 people have been killed in two attacks in Ethiopia’s conflict-affected Oromia Region, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which has called on authorities to strengthen civilian protection and bring those responsible to justice.

The church’s Holy Synod said 14 people were killed in an attack in Merti district on October 20, 2026, while another 46 died in attacks in Shirka district on October 24. Both districts are located in the Arsi Zone of Oromia, in central Ethiopia.

The church also reported that more than 20 people sustained serious injuries and homes were burned during the violence. The full circumstances surrounding the attacks, including the identity of those responsible, remain disputed.

The killings have renewed concerns about the safety of civilians in Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest region, where armed conflict and insecurity have affected communities for years.

Church calls for protection and accountability
In a statement issued on October 26, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church condemned the killings and expressed concern over continued violence against civilian members of the faith.

The church called on federal and regional authorities to take stronger measures to protect residents, investigate the attacks, identify the perpetrators and ensure that those found responsible face justice.

It also appealed for measures to prevent further attacks and protect the constitutional rights to life and religious freedom.

The church’s account places the reported deaths across two separate incidents. Fourteen people were reportedly killed in Merti district on October 20, followed by 46 deaths in Shirka district four days later.

The reported figures have been carried by international news organisations, although independent verification of every casualty and the complete circumstances of the incidents remains limited.

Responsibility for the attacks remains disputed
Oromia regional government spokesperson Hailu Adugna blamed an armed opposition alliance for the attacks, alleging that the group and its allies sought to inflame ethnic and religious tensions. Reports said the spokesperson did not provide evidence to substantiate the accusation.

A source linked to the opposition alliance, speaking to Reuters, instead accused the Oromia regional government of responsibility and cited conversations with local residents. That allegation has not been independently established.

The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an armed group that regional authorities have previously accused of attacks against Orthodox Christians, did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the latest incidents.

The competing allegations make it important to distinguish between statements by interested parties and independently verified findings. As of the latest reports, responsibility for the killings had not been conclusively established.

Oromia’s continuing security challenges
Oromia has experienced a prolonged conflict involving Ethiopian government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army, alongside other sources of insecurity. Civilians have faced the consequences of violence, displacement and restrictions that can make independent reporting difficult.

The latest attacks have raised further concerns about the protection of religious communities and the risk that unverified accusations could deepen existing tensions.

Religious leaders and rights advocates have repeatedly called for the protection of civilians regardless of their ethnic, religious or political identity. Investigations that are credible, impartial and transparent will be important in establishing what happened and ensuring accountability.

What happens next?
The immediate priorities include medical assistance for those injured, support for affected families, protection for residents at risk of further violence and an impartial investigation into the killings.

Authorities will also face pressure to provide credible information about the incidents and demonstrate that civilians can seek protection without discrimination.

The reported death toll remains subject to further verification, and the identities of those responsible should not be treated as established until supported by reliable evidence.

247NewsCheck.com will continue to monitor developments in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region and report further verified information about the attacks, the investigation and efforts to protect affected communities.