Violence Against Christians Claims More Lives as 40 or More Ethiopians Slaughtered, at Least 2 Churches Attacked
Ethiopian Christians have been butchered in a pair of attacks that left at least 60 people dead.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod said at least 14 people were killed in Merti district on Oct. 20, and that at least 46 others were killed in Shirka district on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
More than 20 people were seriously wounded and 20 homes were burned down, the church said, calling the attacks “brutal and merciless massacres.”
Victims included children and the elderly.
Witnesses told the BBC that five children were killed in the massacre.
One resident, whose 75-year-old father was killed, said the Orthodox Christians were ambushed.
“We were completely unprepared and had no prior knowledge. They surrounded us from all four directions,” he said.
The continued targeted attacks against Christians in Ethiopia are completely unacceptable.
All parties to the conflict need to take steps to ensure that Christians and all people of faith are protected from this violence and that the perpetrators are punished. https://t.co/tw0KHjz71j
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) October 27, 2026
The attacks were allegedly carried out by the insurgent group known as the Alliance for Survival, which includes the Oromo Liberation Army.
“My sister and uncle were killed, and several of my relatives were taken hostage,” one resident said, according to the Daily Mail.
At least two churches were attacked as well.
“We are deeply shocked by these tragic killings and are appealing to the government to intervene and restore security,” a deacon of one of the churches said.
The World Council of Churches said in a statement that they join “Ethiopian church leaders in crying out to the Government of Ethiopia to protect Christians and other communities in the Oromia region from armed attack.”
Signing you in…
Please keep this page open. The results will appear here.
Check your email to count your vote
We sent a confirmation link to .
Click Confirm Your Vote in that email to count your vote and unlock the results.
Your vote has not been counted yet. If the email hasn't arrived, check your spam or junk folder.
“An increasing number of deadly attacks in the region have especially targeted communities of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), in a wave of violence that appears to be both ethnic and religious in nature,” the council said.
“The first duty of any government is to protect its people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or other characteristic,” the statement added.
“We call urgently on the Ethiopian Government to fulfil this duty, to provide all needed support to the displaced and affected communities, to prevent further attacks, and to bring those responsible to justice.”
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
