Gunmen Kill 34 More Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia, Death Toll Rises to 94

ADDIS ABABA, Nov 6: At least 34 Ethiopian Orthodox Christians were killed Thursday in a fresh attack by gunmen in Ethiopia's Oromia region, bringing the reported death toll from a series of attacks on worshippers to at least 94 in less than three weeks, according to local media reports.

The latest attack took place in Endato village in Robe district, where armed assailants reportedly targeted residents. Several other people were injured, while shops and other property were damaged during the violence.

Local outlet Meseret Media reported that security personnel attempting to restore order were also caught up in the violence.

The attack followed two separate incidents on Oct. 20 and Oct. 24 in Oromia's Merti and Shirka districts, where at least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

In a statement issued on Oct. 26, the church's Holy Synod condemned the killings and called for urgent measures to protect worshippers and prevent further violence.

Earlier attacks were attributed by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an armed group operating in the region. Authorities subsequently launched security operations and reportedly arrested nearly 70 suspects in connection with the October violence.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for Thursday's latest attack.

The fresh killings have heightened concerns about the security of religious communities in Oromia, where years of armed conflict and insecurity have displaced civilians and destabilized large parts of the region.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, one of the country's largest religious institutions, has more than 30 million followers.