A late-night assault across rural communities in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region leaves dozens dead and communities displaced
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — At least 47 Orthodox Christian followers were killed, numerous homes reduced to ashes, and entire livelihoods plundered during a horrific late-night assault across multiple rural communities in Shirka Woreda, located in the Arsi Zone of Ethiopia’s Oromia Region.
The terrifying violence erupted around 10:00 PM as heavily armed groups systematically surrounded farming families inside their homes across Birbo, Chole, and Sole Guna kebeles, blocking every escape route before opening fire and setting residences ablaze. According to grieving local families and local sources, the assailants consisted of local armed groups operating within Shirka Woreda alongside extremist elements mobilized from neighboring Bale Zone’s Wabe River corridor, Honkolo Wabe, and Robe Didea. Desperate relatives of the deceased alleged that the attackers operated with tacit backing from local administrative structures.
This latest massacre marks a painful escalation in a recurring pattern of targeted violence against Orthodox Christian communities across the Arsi Zone and broader swathes of the Oromia Region. Over recent years, vulnerable agrarian families in these areas have faced repeated waves of violent raids, house burnings, and massacres, leaving rural parishes traumatized, churches desecrated, and thousands of displaced believers living under constant fear of annihilation.
As the fires consumed entire neighborhoods during the attack, terrified residents in Gobesa town—the administrative seat of Shirka Woreda—pleaded with local police and security forces to intervene and save their loved ones. However, security personnel reportedly stood by without taking action, claiming they had not received official orders to deploy. Bereaved families now face the heartwrenching task of sifting through ash and rubble to bury their dead, while a severe security threat continues to hover over the terrorized region.
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Again, this savagery is hazppening just a stone throw away from the offices of Al-Toweel the 2nd leader of Oromia. Where were his ‘indomitable’ special security forces he once bragged about? Well, we all know where and why not. He has been so busy breaking the backs of a non-existing armed militia of a long gone oppressor Empire and he is so tied up bashing the ever generous American farmers who have opened their grain silos to save the lives of famine stricken Ethiopians since 1984. These savage vagabonds are encouraged by his silence and inaction and are also rallied by the battle cry from Minnesota echoing in their ears with ‘Ethiopia, Out of Oromia’ and labeling the victims as ‘land grabbing settlers’. Even though many of these victims are Oromos themselves from Shewa, but their presence in their current locations qualifies them as ‘land grabbing settlers’. That is how the savages see the victims in their twisted minds. The striking reality is those who accused the innocent victims and incited the gullible are not seen/heard saying a single word about it. It seems they are enjoying the fruits of their demonic sermons.
For now make sure you follow the instruction on office door of Al-Toweel the 2nd leader of Oromia that reads ‘DO NOT DISTURB’.