Tragedy in Oromiya: Dozens Killed as Violence Surges in Ethiopia’s Conflict-Hit Region

ADDIS ABABA — A devastating wave of violence has once again shaken Ethiopia’s central Oromiya region after two separate coordinated attacks left at least 60 people dead, dozens injured, and scores displaced.

The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church released a statement confirming that the fatal assaults took place in the Arsi Zone. According to church statements and regional reports, 14 victims were killed during an initial assault in the Merti district, followed by a second attack days later in the Shirka district that claimed 46 lives—including at least five children.

Witnesses described a scene of sudden horror as armed assailants ambushed local residents. "We were completely unprepared and had no prior knowledge. They surrounded us from all four directions," one survivor told news outlets after his 75-year-old father was killed in the chaos.

In addition to the loss of human life, attackers burned at least 20 homes to the ground and critically wounded dozens of civilians, leaving hundreds fleeing into adjacent zones for safety. Local officials noted that while security forces responded to the scene, they were unable to halt the assault before significant damage was inflicted.

The Oromiya region has long suffered from lingering political, ethnic, and religious friction. While armed groups operating in the area have frequently been blamed for regional insecurity, official responsibility for this specific incident has not yet been established.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has strongly condemned the killings, calling the attacks a violation of basic human rights and constitutional protections. The Synod urged federal and regional authorities to deploy additional security forces to safeguard civilian populations and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

Regional authorities have announced that investigations are underway and pledged to take decisive legal action against those responsible for the violence. However, for the grieving families of the Arsi Zone, the immediate focus remains on securing basic shelter and safety amidst persistent fears of further escalation.