At least 35 Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christians were killed in a latest wave of religious driven attack in Arsi zone of Oromia regional state, APA can report over the weekend.
The centre of the violence was in the East Arsi Zone targeting farming communities in remote localities around Teleta Gebriel, approximately 18 kilometers from Aseko town, and continued through the national election period on 1st June.
Aseko town is located roughly 165-175 kilometers southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa.
The latest flare-up began on 30 May in Teleta Gebriel, a remote area in Aseko District, and later spread to other regions. Incidents were reported in several districts, with militants of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) selectively beheading members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, burning villages and churches, and destroying properties.
The exact death toll is still unknown, but some reports suggest that 37 to 40 people may have died in the latest incidents and hundreds of others were displaced.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has extended condolences to families and communities affected by recent armed attacks in the southeastern part of the country’s Arsi Zone in the Oromia region.
In a statement issued Friday, the Office of Ethiopian Prime Minister said the recent attacks, including the killing of civilians and destruction of homes and places of worship, were carried out with the clear intention to “inflame ethnic and religious tensions and deepen social divisions” among communities.
Accusing the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA-Shene) insurgents of the attacks, the office emphasised that the situation has been brought under control, and that coordinated security operations are currently underway against those responsible for the attacks.
The statement, however, did not reveal the number of civilian casualties. The rebel group, OLA-Shene, which was previously designated as a terrorist group by the Ethiopian parliament back in May 2021, has been notably active in parts of Ethiopia’s Oromia region.
MG/as/APA