Ethiopia: More Than 50 Detained After Burying Victims of Deadly Attacks On Orthodox Faithful in Ethiopia's Oromia

What the report says

Addis Standard, citing residents in Shirka Woreda in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, reported that more than 50 people were detained after they helped bury victims and assist the wounded following recent armed attacks. The report says the arrests came after violence in Chole and Birbo kebeles that left at least 48 people dead and more than 31 injured, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod later saying 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in attacks on 20 and 24 October across two woredas in Southeast Zone, formerly Arsi zone.

According to residents quoted by the publisher, some of those taken into custody were young people, mourners, or relatives of the dead, while others were accused of posing a threat to the country. The article says searches and further arrests were still underway, and that several women had been released while others remained detained. Addis Standard was unable to independently verify some of the residents’ broader claims, including warnings of an attack and longer-term casualty figures in the area.

The report places the latest detentions within a wider pattern of deadly violence affecting Orthodox Christian communities in Arsi and nearby parts of Oromia. It notes that local and church officials have called for protection of civilians, investigations, and accountability, while the regional communication bureau has previously blamed a group it called “Tsimdo” for the killings. The article also says responsibility for the attacks remains unclear.