Sixty Christians killed in Ethiopia’s Oromia region

At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two attacks on October 20 and 24 in Ethiopia’s Arsi Zone in Oromia, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Fourteen people were killed in Gora Silingo, Merti district, and 46 in the villages of Tereta, Chole and Birbo, Shirka district; more than 20 people were seriously injured and 20 homes were burned. The church’s holy synod condemned the killings and urged authorities to protect civilians and bring those responsible to justice. No one immediately claimed responsibility; media reports said a local official blamed a newly formed rebel alliance that includes the Oromo Liberation Army, which has previously denied attacking civilians.