Eight people killed in drone strike on monastery in Ethiopia

Abba Garima Monastery in Ethiopia. Photo: open sources

In Ethiopia, eight people were killed as a result of a drone strike on an Orthodox monastery. The tragedy occurred on July 22 in the Amhara region during a festive church service. Two nuns and six priests were among the victims of the attack; several more people sustained serious injuries., reports Christian Today.

The human rights organization International Christian Concern suggested that government forces were behind the attack, as they were conducting an operation against militants from the Fano group. Ethiopian authorities justified the strike by citing the possible presence of rebels on the monastery grounds. Jerry Pillay, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), called the killing of believers inside the church completely unacceptable.

"Religious institutions and civilians must never be targeted in military operations," Pillay stated. The WCC head called on the international community to conduct an immediate and transparent investigation in order to hold those responsible accountable. Local clergy note that the transformation of a holy site into a zone of death has caused severe psychological trauma to the faithful.

The armed confrontation with the Fano group, which advocates for the interests of the local Amhara ethnic group, has been ongoing in Ethiopia since 2018. During this time, attacks on peaceful communities and religious sites have been repeatedly recorded in the region.

As the UOJ reported, Islamists burned an ancient Orthodox church in Ethiopia.

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