At least 60 Orthodox Christians killed in attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region

The AIS Foundation reported that at least 60 Orthodox Christians died during attacks in the Oromia region of Ethiopia this month. The violence occurred on October 20 in the Merti district and on October 24 in the Shirka district, both located in the Arsi zone.

In Shirka, armed men reportedly went from house to house using firearms and knives to kill residents, including children and the elderly. Reports also indicated damage to a church, while churches in neighboring villages provided shelter to those fleeing the violence.

The Oromia regional government accused armed rebel groups of carrying out the massacres to provoke religious conflict, though the AIS Foundation noted this accusation has not been independently verified. The foundation expressed concern that these attacks could add a religious dimension to existing political, ethnic, and territorial tensions in the country.