More than 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in a series of attacks on three areas in the Shirka district of Ethiopia’s Oromia region, according to the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and reporting by the BBC. A church official described the assaults as a “massacre.” Eyewitnesses told BBC Amharic that the attackers surrounded residents from all four directions in an ambush, and that five of those killed were children. One resident whose 75-year-old father was among the dead said the community was completely unprepared. The Holy Synod stated that 20 houses were burned to the ground during the attacks. Security forces arrived at the scene but were unable to stop the assault, and many residents have since fled the area. The regional government said it would take action against those responsible. A local official attributed the attacks to a newly formed rebel coalition called the Alliance for Survival, which includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The OLA has not commented on the specific incident and has previously denied responsibility for similar attacks. The Orthodox Church condemned the violence, noting that attacks against Christians have been increasing recently and that such actions undermine the country’s values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. The church has said the victims were innocent Orthodox faithful and called on authorities to protect civilians and bring the perpetrators to justice. The incidents form part of a longer pattern of attacks targeting Orthodox Christian communities in the Arsi Zone of Oromia. Stop Islam Stop Communism Vote RED in the Midterms Vote America First 🇺🇸