⛔️ Over 60 Orthodox Christians killed in two attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region‼️
▪️ The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's Holy Synod says 14 people were killed in Merti district on Oct 20 and 46 in Shirka district on Oct 24, both in Arsi Zone
▪️ More than 20 people were seriously wounded and 20 homes burned. Residents say at least five children were among the dead.
▪️ Residents say the dead were buried together in a single grave at a church in Chole
▪️ The church called the killings "brutal and merciless massacres" and urged the government to protect civilians
▪️ A local official blamed a new rebel alliance that includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The OLA hasn't commented and has denied attacking civilians in the past.
▪️ The Ethiopian Human Rights Council says 458 people were killed in Arsi over four years, with Orthodox Christians targeted for their faith‼️
🔺Sources:
•AP News: Church says 60 Orthodox Christians killed in Oromia
•BBC: More than 60 Christians killed in Ethiopia "massacre"
•Al Jazeera: Sixty Christians killed in Oromia
•AFP via Dawn: ACLED counts at least 43 dead in Shirka
•Borkena: Earlier video of clergy abused in East Wollega