At Least 60 Orthodox Christians Killed in Attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia Region

At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in separate attacks on October 20 and 24 in Ethiopia's Oromia region, according to church officials, as Al Jazeera reported.

Church officials said 14 people were killed on October 20 in Gora Silingo, in the Angada kebele, a local administrative area in Merti district. On October 24, 46 people were killed in the villages of Tereta, Chole and Birbo in Shirka district. Both districts lie in the Arsi Zone, in central Oromia, one of Ethiopia's regional states.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's holy synod said more than 20 people were seriously injured in the two sets of attacks. It also reported that 20 homes were burned down. Al Jazeera

According to reporting by CTV News, the attacks targeted Orthodox Christian churches and homes.

One resident whose 75-year-old father was killed described the assault to the BBC as an ambush, saying the victims were surrounded.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. The Oromia regional government has pledged to pursue those responsible for the killings.

The church's count of the dead, injured and destroyed homes comes from church officials and the holy synod.