More Than 30 Ethiopian Orthodox Christians Killed in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region
A wave of attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region left dozens of Tewahedo Christians dead and raised renewed calls for government protection.
ARSI, ETHIOPIA — More than 30 Ethiopian Orthodox Christians were killed between February and March in a series of attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia Regional State, according to church sources and local reports.
Among the victims was Abba Welde Michael, a hermit monk living at Asebot Holy Trinity Monastery. The monk was reportedly shot inside his cell and later buried at the monastery on February 8. Several monks and monastery servants abducted during an earlier attack in October 2025 remain missing.
Violence also struck communities in the Arsi Zone. On February 23, three Orthodox Christian men were killed in the Ferekesa area of Merti Abomsa District, while homes and property belonging to at least 10 families were destroyed. A Muslim resident who reportedly opposed the killings was also shot.
Further attacks followed in the Sherka District on February 26 and 27, leaving dozens dead or missing and forcing several victims to receive medical treatment. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission condemned the violence and called for urgent government action.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a Palestinian-American was killed in West Bank clashes.
