Orthodox Church Cites 25 Civilian Deaths In Ethiopia
Mass Fatalities in Ethiopia: EOTC Confirms Over 25 Church Followers Killed in East Arsi
ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) has publicly stated that more than 25 of its followers were killed in the East Arsi Zone of the Oromia Regional State over the course of October, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
The killings, which the Church’s Department of Public Relation attributed to various incidents throughout the month, were confirmed to have affected members of the Church in areas including the Honqolo Wabe and Merti Na Guna woredas (districts).
Church Compiles Fatalities
In its statement issued on Tuesday, October 29, the EOTC’s Public Relations Department said it compiled the death toll through its internal structure, gathering information from the diocesan level down to local congregations.
“In total, in October, more than 25 innocent people were killed, including in the Honqolo Wabe and Merti Na Guna woredas,” the statement read.
The Church also referenced a specific report received on October 28, indicating that five people were killed in Honqolo Wabe (Siltana) Woreda. Other reports received by the department suggested these victims were members of the same family.
While the Church did not specify the identity of the perpetrators, it committed to presenting “the detailed information received to the relevant body” for further action.
Local Source Details Recent Attack
The Church’s report follows a separate incident detailed by a local church source speaking to Addis Standard on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns.
The source alleged that on the evening of Monday, October 27, three civilians were killed and four others abducted in a “religion-based attack” carried out by “unidentified gunmen” in the Hela Zibaba Kebele of Shirka Woreda, also in the East Arsi Zone.
The victims of the attack, identified by the source as Mamush Derbie, Tigist Jima, and Gizaw Ketema, were reportedly “taken out of their homes and shot” in an “atrocious manner.” Their funeral was held the following day at Zembaba Arsema Church.
The four individuals reportedly abducted were named as Astatke Derbie, Ketema Teklu, Behailu Abebayu, and Sisay Keteme.
Pattern of Violence Since 2021
The Addis Standard local source further indicated that such attacks in the area began in 2021 and have since escalated, resulting in the deaths of approximately 190 people in similar incidents over the last four years. The source confirmed that the victims were “followers of the Orthodox Tewahedo faith,” but stated that the identity and motive of the perpetrators remain unknown.The recent events occur against a backdrop of ongoing violence in parts of Oromia. As previously reported by Addis Standard in August 2024, six civilians, including a Priest, were killed in a violent attack in Tijo village, Aseko district, Arsi Zone. That attack was attributed to the armed group referred to by the government as “Shane” (a term for the Oromo Liberation Army or OLA), and it also resulted in injuries, destruction of homes, and looting.
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