The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church says at least 60 of its members were killed in two separate attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region, prompting renewed demands for civilian protection and an investigation into the violence.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, the church's Holy Synod said 14 people were killed in Merti district on October 20, followed by another 46 in Shirka district on October 24.
The attacks occurred in the Arsi Zone, an area that has experienced repeated violence against civilian communities.
According to the church, more than 20 houses were burned and at least 20 people were hospitalised with serious injuries.
The church condemned the killings and called on federal and regional authorities to identify those responsible, strengthen protection for threatened communities and prevent further attacks.
The latest allegations were reported internationally by Reuters on Tuesday, October 27.
Independent Ethiopian outlet Addis Standard separately interviewed residents who described armed men attacking homes in the Shirka district during the night of October 24 and into the following morning.
Those residents reported at least 48 deaths in the weekend attack, a slightly higher figure than the 46 recorded for Shirka by the church. A definitive independently verified casualty count has not yet been established.
Responsibility for the violence remains disputed.
Oromia regional authorities accused a recently formed rebel alliance of carrying out the attacks to inflame religious tensions. However, officials did not provide evidence supporting that accusation.
A source linked to the alliance separately accused the regional government of involvement, an allegation that has also not been independently substantiated.
The Oromo Liberation Army, which has previously been accused by regional authorities of attacks against Orthodox Christian communities, did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
The conflicting allegations have heightened concerns about accountability in a region already affected by longstanding insecurity.
Church authorities announced plans for memorial prayers and discussions with senior government officials over measures to protect civilians.
The Holy Synod also proposed establishing a committee involving religious leaders, scholars and legal experts to examine lasting solutions.
The latest killings come amid broader instability in Ethiopia, including renewed fighting in the country's north and separate clashes near the Kenyan border.
For communities in Arsi, the immediate priorities remain assistance for survivors, protection for displaced residents and a credible investigation into the attacks.
The church's reported death toll of 60 is supported by its formal statement, but the identities of the perpetrators and the full circumstances of the killings remain unresolved
