Reports Indicate Targeted Killings and Arson in Gida Ayana District as Violence Flares Again in Western Oromia
By Borkena Desk
TORONTO, Canada — A resurgent, massive, and coordinated attack against ethnic Amharas has been reported in the East Wollega Zone of Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The Geda Commando, a security force operating under the Oromia regional state structure, has been directly linked to the violence, which has reportedly claimed dozens of lives.
According to reports, the pattern of the attacks bears characteristics aimed at cleansing ethnic Amharas from the entire Wollega region.
The Ethiopia Media Service (EMS), a diaspora-based outlet citing sources from the Gida Ayana district, reported that Ethiopian Orthodox Church archpriest Qomos Aba Tadesse was among those shot dead by Geda Commando forces. Video footage circulating on social media purportedly shows him being abused by the commandos in Wollega, followed by images of his deceased body.
Sources added that Qomos Aba Tadesse and several other priests serving at the Andodie Selassie Church in the Gida Ayana district were forced into custody in the middle of a church service.
Additional video footage on social media shows organized crowds moving house-to-house and setting buildings on fire within the district. In a separate incident highlighted by EMS as part of the broader pattern of violence, a woman begging outside a church was shot dead, while her young daughter was shot in the legs and found alive near her body.
Borkena has extensively covered recurring massacres targeting ethnic Amharas in Wollega and other parts of the Oromia region over the past six years.
Over 20 residents are reportedly confirmed dead, while thousands have fled their homes and remain in hiding. Neither the federal government nor the Oromia regional administration had issued statements regarding the incident at the time of publication.
In a related development, gunmen linked to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) reportedly killed at least 16 civilians in the Gurage area. Residents told EMS that Tiya and Suten towns were shelled with heavy artillery, indicating government force involvement as well. Eyewitnesses reported that ethnic Gurages are being pressured to identify as ethnic Oromos. Residents from affected districts have fled to Butajira, where victims are receiving treatment, placing local hospital resources under severe strain.
While Fano forces launched military operations in the area earlier this year—claiming significant gains, including the killing of a military general—EMS reported that the civilians targeted by the Geda Commandos had no involvement in those military operations.
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