Holy Synod of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church condemns killing of 60 Christians

Armed assailants killed 60 Orthodox Christians in two separate attacks in Ethiopia's Arsi Zone, according to the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The first attack occurred on Oct. 20 in the Merti district, killing 14 people. A second attack on Oct. 24 in the Shirka district left 46 people dead across several villages.

The Holy Synod reported that more than 20 people were severely wounded and hospitalized, and 20 residential homes were burned. In a statement read Oct. 26 at a plenary assembly in Addis Ababa, the bishops called on the Ethiopian government to intervene and protect the community. The Synod described the killings as an act that violates constitutional rights to life and religious freedom.

Government officials have attributed the violence to the Alliance for Survival, a new rebel network that includes the Oromo Liberation Army. The Oromo Liberation Army has not commented on these specific attacks, though the BBC reported the group has denied carrying out similar violence in the past.