At least 37 Orthodox Christian civilians have been killed in a series of attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, according to reports citing sources within the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

The attacks reportedly took place in the Arsi zone on the eve of the country’s general elections and continued on election day. Several people remain missing, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.

Church representatives said armed assailants targeted multiple villages and religious sites. One of the most significant incidents involved the destruction of the century-old St. Gabriel Orthodox Church, which was reportedly burned to the ground.

Local church authorities stated that more than 280 families were forced to flee their homes as a result of the violence. Reports also described the burning of residential properties, looting of belongings, and the destruction of livestock.

Patriarch Abune Mathias, head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, expressed deep sorrow over the killings and called on security forces to take immediate action to halt the violence and bring those responsible to justice.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed offered condolences to the families of the victims and affected communities. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the attacks were part of a broader effort to destabilize the country and disrupt the democratic process. The government blamed fighters from the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) for carrying out the assaults.

However, representatives of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and several civil society organizations argued that attacks against Orthodox Christian communities in Oromia have become systematic and require a separate, independent investigation. They also criticized authorities for failing to provide adequate protection for civilians and religious institutions.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, leaders of monasteries and church institutions from the Addis Ababa diocese convened a meeting in the capital. Participants expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged support for rebuilding St. Gabriel Church. Church officials emphasized that the destruction of places of worship damages not only religious life but also Ethiopia’s historical and cultural heritage.

The latest violence follows a series of similar attacks reported in the Arsi region in recent months. According to church sources, at least 35 Orthodox Christians, including clergy members, were killed in Arsi and neighboring Hararghe between February and March 2026. Those incidents were condemned by both the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council.

The attacks have sparked widespread public concern. A consortium of Christian relief and development organizations issued a statement urging authorities to ensure the protection of civilians regardless of their religious or ethnic background and to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence.