Armed Group Kills Over 40 Orthodox Christians in Oromia

On Saturday, an unidentified armed group attacked Orthodox Christian churches and homes in the Shirka district of Oromia, Ethiopia, resulting in the deaths of at least 43 people and injuring 18 others, according to local residents and the ACLED conflict monitor. The attack, described as religiously motivated, targeted Orthodox Christians and led to clashes with local militias that continued into the evening.

The Ethiopia Human Rights Commission stated it was monitoring the situation. One resident reported that their sister and uncle were killed, and several relatives were taken hostage.

The death toll varies, with some locals estimating it at 46 or even 51. ACLED noted a rise in attacks against Orthodox Christians in the region since February 2023.

Ethiopia is experiencing significant internal conflicts, including recent fighting in the northern Tigray state. The involvement of the Oromo Liberation Front in these attacks remains unclear, but religion has been used to mobilize fighters amid ongoing ethnic tensions.