Ethiopia: It has been reported that large numbers of ethnic Amhara and Tigrayan civilians are being killed , and their homes are being burned by state forces in the Wollega areas of Oromia
Ethiopia: It has been reported that ethnic Amhara civilians, including priests, are being killed in large numbers, while churches and civilian homes are being set ablaze by state forces known as the Geda Commando in the Wollega areas of Oromia.
Ethiopia: It's reported that this man was detained in Addis Ababa after peacefully staging a solo protest calling for PM Abiy to step down and be held accountable, during a period when demonstrations were banned by the regime
Ethiopia: It’s reported that three civilian Amhara men—Temesgen Getachew, Yitagesu Asegde, and Gizaw Girma—were forced off a public bus in Abeshge Woreda, Gurage Zone, and brutally killed by regime forces after being accused of being “Fano members''
@NatnaelMekonne7 Where have the people gone? Who is all this for? There isn't a single soul around—you filmed this from a 7-star hotel, but let me show you what we see from Arabsa. If you go just 20 km outside Addis Ababa, all you see are bombs and dead bodies.
Ethiopian journalist detained after she published a video condemning the reported killings of Orthodox Christian civilians in East Arsi Zone, Oromia Region. They kill & persecute civilians b/c of their Orthodox faith & Amhara ethnicity. They then detain those who criticize them.
Massacre de chrétiens en Éthiopie (East Arsi, Oromia), fin mai 2026 : dizaines de chrétiens orthodoxes tués par des militants oromo musulmans de l’OLA (Shene).
Conflit ethnique (Oromo vs Amhara) avec forte dimension anti-chrétienne : église centenaire incendiée, villages attaqués.
Le Conseil islamique éthiopien a condamné ces tueries.
Silence médiatique international,ça vous étonne ? ✝️ #Éthiopie #Arsi
Dozens of Orthodox Christians Reportedly Killed in Fresh Violence in Ethiopia’s Arsi Zone
At least 37 Orthodox Christian civilians have reportedly been killed in a new wave of violence in Ethiopia’s Arsi Zone of the Oromia region, according to church sources, raising fresh concerns over security and communal tensions in the area.
The attacks allegedly occurred in Tefa Kebele of Aleko Teleta District and began on the eve of Ethiopia’s general election, according to reports received by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Church officials say several other residents remain unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
The violence reportedly targeted multiple communities and religious sites. Among the most significant incidents was the destruction of St. Gabriel Church, a century-old Orthodox church that was reportedly burned to the ground. A letter sent by local church authorities to the Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate confirmed the destruction of the church and detailed the scale of the attacks.
According to church officials, more than 280 households were displaced after armed assailants attacked villages, burned homes, and forced residents to flee. Church authorities described the events as a large-scale assault that caused extensive human and material losses.
The attacks were also reported in several neighboring localities, including Zedibu, Erecha Michael, Sunte Mariam, Bogdo Abo, Lencho Ada, Jiso, and Dire kebeles. Residents and church representatives said homes, livestock, and other property were looted or destroyed during the violence.
In a separate incident, a facility used by Holy Saviour Church for religious activities and guest accommodation in Kore Kuftele was reportedly damaged.
Church sources said the attacks continued on election day and criticized what they described as a delayed security response from local authorities. However, government officials have not publicly commented on the latest allegations.
Abune Elsae, Archbishop of the Arsi and Somali Jigjiga dioceses, confirmed that attacks had taken place and submitted a report to the Patriarchate listing victims and documenting damage caused during the violence.
The latest incident follows a series of deadly attacks reported in parts of Arsi and other areas of Oromia in recent years. Church leaders and community representatives have repeatedly raised concerns over the security situation and called for stronger measures to protect civilians and religious institutions.
In March 2026, church sources reported that more than 30 Orthodox Christians were killed in a separate attack in Arsi, while hundreds of residents were displaced.
Federal and regional authorities have previously stated that security operations have significantly weakened armed groups operating in Oromia and rejected accusations that attacks are being carried out on the basis of religion or ethnicity.
The latest reports are likely to intensify calls for an independent investigation into recurring violence in the region and renewed efforts to ensure accountability for attacks against civilians.
🚨 𝐎𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝟏𝟎𝟏-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐚 𝐒𝐭. 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐱 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞-𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐢 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐎𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚
According to information received by @MeseretMedia from local sources, a large-scale and deadly attack targeting followers of the Orthodox Christian faith has been underway since May 31 in Asko Woreda, East Arsi Zone, Oromia Region.
The attackers were identified as Shene (Oromo Liberation Army) militants. Although similar attacks had reportedly been carried out more than seven times previously in the Teleta Gebriel area, what distinguishes the current assault is that the militants allegedly gathered from Merti Woreda, Fentale, Karrayyu, and Itu areas, forming a force estimated at nearly 3,000 fighters before launching a large-scale offensive against Asko Woreda and surrounding areas.
One local source told Meseret Media by telephone that residents had previously attempted to organize their own self-defense efforts, but government officials allegedly reassured the community that the area was secure, leading residents to lower their guard. The source claimed this left the population vulnerable to the current attacks.
Sources suggest the attacks, which specifically targeted Orthodox Christian communities in East Arsi, appeared to have been carried out during the eve and day of the national election.
In Telata Chefa Kebele, Orthodox Christian homes were reportedly singled out and burned, while livestock and other property were looted by armed attackers. As a result, residents reportedly abandoned the area and fled toward Sunte.
Similarly, in Kara Kuftena Kebele, residents reportedly fled with the Tabot (holy altar replica) of Medhanealem Church in an effort to save both their lives and sacred religious artifacts from destruction.
Reports indicate that the attacks also targeted religious institutions. The historic Telata Chefa St. Gabriel Church, described as more than 101 years old and a significant landmark for the local community, was reportedly completely destroyed by fire.
In addition, various service buildings, guest facilities, and other structures belonging to Kara Kuftena Medhanealem Church were also reportedly burned and destroyed.
Residents, speaking with great alarm, stated that the militants have completely encircled the area and are carrying out massacres while preventing people from escaping.