Oromia Orthodox Christian deaths reach 60 as regional conflict deepens

Residents of the Arsi Zone in Oromia, Ethiopia, lost their livelihoods and safety after two separate attacks claimed the lives of at least 60 Orthodox Christians. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church announced the toll on Monday, detailing that 14 people were killed in the Merti district on Oct. 20 and 46 more were killed in the Shirka district on Oct. 24. The church reported that more than 20 additional people suffered serious injuries and that 20 residential structures were set on fire.

The conflict in Oromia, the country's most populous region with approximately 40 million residents, has been ongoing since 2018. Fighting persists between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army, or OLA, alongside other armed groups and criminal bands. Civilians in the area frequently face extortion, kidnapping, and killing, creating a volatile environment for local communities and economic activity.

Hailu Adugna, the spokesperson for the Oromia regional government, attributed the attacks to the OLA and its allies. In a statement, he accused the rebels of attempting to trigger an ethnic and religious conflict to distract from military setbacks in northern Ethiopia. Adugna did not provide specific evidence for the claim but stated that regional authorities had begun taking measures against those responsible. He also promised assistance to the injured and displaced.

The OLA could not be reached for immediate comment regarding the new attacks. However, Jaal Marroo, the group's leader, previously denied that his fighters target civilians. In a February interview with The Associated Press, he stated, "Our war is not against the people." The OLA is one of seven groups in the Ethiopian Peoples' Survival Front alliance, which formed in September with the goal of toppling Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.

International observers have documented abuses by both sides in the region. United Nations investigators have accused the OLA of killings, rape, and kidnapping. Human rights monitors have also recorded abuses by government forces, including indiscriminate drone strikes, extrajudicial executions, and disappearances. Sarah Kimani, the head of media for Amnesty International, noted in a January interview that internet blackouts and restrictions on independent media have obscured the scale of civilian suffering.

The church characterized the recent killings as "brutal and relentless massacres." It cited violations of constitutional protections for religious freedom and the right to life. The religious body urged authorities to publicly condemn the killings and take steps to prevent further violence in the region.