Ethiopian Orthodox Church says 60 killed in two Oromia attacks

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has urged authorities to protect civilians after saying 60 of its followers were killed in two attacks in Oromia this month. Its Holy Synod put the toll at 14 in Merti district on 20 October and 46 in the Chole and Birbo areas of Shirka district on 24 October, according to accounts of its statement published by Tikvah-Ethiopia and The Abay Times. The church also reported more than 20 people seriously injured and 20 homes burnt.

Other accounts give different figures for Shirka. Residents told Addis Standard that at least 48 people had been killed and more than 31 wounded in Chole and Birbo by 26 October. AFP, citing residents and conflict monitor ACLED, reported at least 43 dead and 18 wounded. These are differing estimates of the Shirka attack, not additional tolls to add to the Synod’s count. BBC News separately reported a church estimate of more than 60 killed in a series of attacks; how that relates to the Synod’s figure of 60 is unclear.

A resident whose 75-year-old father was killed told BBC Amharic that the attackers had surrounded them “from all four directions”. The BBC said many residents had fled. The Abay Times quoted an eyewitness who estimated that about 55 people had died in Chole and Birbo, including seven Muslims. That is one witness’s account, not a settled breakdown of those killed. The church says attacks on Orthodox Christians have been increasing, while the BBC has also reported earlier attacks on Muslims in the area. Who was targeted in these attacks, and why, has not been established.

Hailu Adugna, head of Oromia’s communications service, blamed a force he called “Tsimdo”. The BBC quoted a local official blaming a rebel coalition that includes the Oromo Liberation Army; it said the OLA had not commented on these attacks and had denied carrying out previous ones. AFP described the attackers as an unidentified armed group. The regional government says it will take action against those responsible, but the competing accounts do not establish who carried out the killings.