According to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, a series of brutal attacks targeting Christian communities in Ethiopia's restive Oromia region has left more than 60 people dead. The incident highlights the deepening security crisis and persistent religious tensions plaguing the country.

Surviving residents described the assaults as coordinated ambushes, stating that attackers surrounded villages from multiple directions without any prior warning. Eyewitness accounts provided to regional media confirm that at least five children were among those killed, while roughly 20 homes were burned to the ground, prompting widespread displacement.

In a strongly worded statement, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church condemned the violence, asserting that attacks against Christians have seen a worrying surge. The church leadership claimed that repeated warnings regarding deteriorating security had been submitted to various levels of authorities, yet authorities have allegedly failed to provide any meaningful protection or solutions.

Human rights organizations have documented hundreds of fatalities linked to targeted violence against religious communities in the area over recent years. While officials continue to blame armed rebel factions for destabilizing the region, local frustration mounts over the apparent inability of security forces to halt the bloodshed.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk