Addis Ababa: At least 34 people have reportedly been killed in a fresh gun attack in Ethiopia's Oromia region, raising further concerns about the safety of Orthodox Christians following a series of deadly attacks in recent weeks.
The latest attack took place on Thursday, November 5, in Endeto Kebele, Robe Woreda, in the East Arsi Zone of Oromia. Several other people were reportedly injured, while shops and other property were damaged during the violence.
Local media reports said armed men opened fire in the area, causing panic among residents. Security personnel were also caught up in the violence while attempting to respond to the situation.
The exact number of people killed remains unclear. While initial reports put the death toll at 34, other local reports have suggested that at least 35 people may have died. A conflict monitoring platform has recorded a possible death toll ranging from 34 to 44.
The identities of those responsible for the latest attack have not been established. It is also unclear whether all those killed were members of the Ethiopian Orthodox community.
The latest incident follows two deadly attacks on October 20 and 24, which initially left 60 people dead, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The Church reported that 14 people were killed in the first attack in Merti Woreda, while another 46 died in the second attack in Shirka Woreda.
However, a subsequent investigation by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission documented 48 deaths in the October 24 attack, compared with the 46 initially reported by the Church.
In its findings released on November 4, the Commission identified the armed group calling itself the Oromo Liberation Army, commonly known as OLF Shane, as responsible for the October 24 attack in Birbona Chole Kebele, Sirka Woreda.
According to the Commission, the attack took place between 6.30 am and 8.30 am, with armed members entering the area from four directions.
The investigation documented 48 deaths, including 23 local security personnel, five militia members and 20 civilians. The Commission attributed 41 deaths to OLF Shane and seven additional civilian deaths to informally armed individuals.
The Commission also reported that 20 people were injured in the attack by OLF Shane and 21 houses were burned. A total of 247 households were displaced, while cattle and other domestic animals were reportedly looted.
The investigation was based on visits to affected communities, interviews with survivors and witnesses, discussions with religious leaders and information gathered from government institutions. The Commission also used digital investigation methods to support its findings.
The findings provide important information about the October violence. However, they do not establish who was responsible for the latest attack on November 5.
Meanwhile, the Oromia regional government announced that 73 suspects had been detained in connection with the October 24 killings in Shirka Woreda.
Regional communication chief Hailu Adugna said those detained included individuals associated with the Oromo Liberation Army and the Fano militia network. He also reported that security operations had been conducted in six kebeles, which are local administrative units.
The regional government said assistance was being provided to displaced residents, including food supplies and medical treatment for those requiring urgent care.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has repeatedly expressed concern about the safety of its members and called on the government to take effective measures to protect communities in vulnerable areas.
The October killings also attracted international attention. US Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin J. Massinga condemned the reported attacks and called for an investigation. He said that such horrific attacks against any group must stop.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has urged the authorities to strengthen security arrangements, improve early warning systems and respond more quickly to threats against civilians. It has also called for independent investigations, accountability for those responsible and support for families who lost relatives.
The Commission further stressed the need to create conditions that would allow displaced residents to return safely to their homes.
The attacks have taken place amid continuing insecurity in Oromia, Ethiopia's largest regional state. The region has experienced years of armed conflict between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army, which has been fighting the Ethiopian government since 2018.
The wider conflict involves political, ethnic and security tensions, with different armed groups accused of committing abuses against civilians. Previous violence in the region has affected both Christian and Muslim communities.
Although the recent attacks have raised particular concerns about the safety of Orthodox Christians, the motives behind the individual incidents have not been independently established.
The continuing violence has increased pressure on Ethiopian authorities to protect vulnerable communities, investigate attacks and prevent further killings.
With another deadly incident reported on November 5, residents in affected parts of Oromia face renewed uncertainty as concerns grow over whether existing security measures will be sufficient to prevent further attacks.