Militants kill 37 Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia

Christians in Ethiopia. Photo: Orthodoxia News Agency

In Ethiopia's Arsi zone, at least 37 peaceful Orthodox Christians were killed as a result of attacks by armed groups. Militants attacked several communities in early June 2026. According to local church authorities, the death toll may rise as many residents are still listed as missing since the violence began. This is reported by DNE Africa.

Extremists completely burned down the century-old Church of Archangel Gabriel in the village of Tefa Kebele. In a letter to the Ethiopian Patriarchate, local clergy confirmed the fact of massive destruction and human casualties. As a result of attacks on villages, militants burned houses and forced more than 280 Orthodox families to flee.

Attacks were also recorded in neighboring settlements of Zedibu, Erecha Michael, and Sunte Mariam. Witnesses report mass looting of property and cattle theft. In Kore Kuftele, radicals damaged the building of the Church of the Holy Savior, which the community used for receiving guests and conducting religious events.

Archbishop Abuna Elzae confirmed the fact of mass killings and submitted an official report about the tragedy to the Church Primate. The hierarch documented the damage that radicals inflicted on communities during armed raids.

Church representatives criticized the slow response of local law enforcement, who failed to protect the civilian population from massacre in time. Government authorities, for their part, decided that the attacks had no religious or ethnic undertones.

As the UOJ reported, the UN established an International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Religious Persecution.

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