60 Christians Killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya Region as Orthodox Church Reports Attacks

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church confirmed that 60 Christians were killed in the Oromiya region in late October 2026, adding to a growing toll of violence against believers in one of Africa's most conflict-affected areas.

Church officials reported the deaths to international Christian media outlets, describing the attacks as targeted killings of civilians in communities where Orthodox Christians make up a significant portion of the population. The Oromiya region has seen repeated cycles of ethnic and religious violence over the past several years.

The killings drew condemnation from Christian advocacy groups worldwide. Premier Christian News, which first reported the figures, noted that the attacks fit a pattern of violence that has forced thousands of Ethiopian Christians to flee their homes.

Ethiopia's federal government has struggled to maintain security in Oromiya, where armed groups have clashed with security forces and targeted civilian communities. The region has been under a state of emergency at various points in recent years.

International Christian organizations are calling on the Ethiopian government to investigate the killings and hold perpetrators accountable. They are also urging Western governments to raise the issue in diplomatic channels.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian institutions in the world, has repeatedly warned that its members face existential threats in parts of the country. Church leaders say the violence is not only a humanitarian crisis but an attack on a faith community that has existed in Ethiopia for more than 1,600 years.

Aid organizations working in the region say access remains difficult, making it hard to verify exact casualty figures or provide timely assistance to survivors.