Recurring Attacks and Rising Death Toll Reported in Arsi Zone

Eyewitnesses have told the BBC that over 40 people, including children, were killed in a recent attack in the Shirka district of the Arsi zone. The attack, which began on October 24, 2026 (Ethiopian Calendar), also left around 20 others injured and hospitalized. According to a recent report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRC), hundreds of people have been killed in identity and religion-based attacks in the region since 2014 E.C.

Previous reports from church officials and local residents confirm a pattern of recurring violence and displacement over several years. The federal government has attributed these attacks to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLF-Shane), a group designated as a terrorist organization, while the group has denied any involvement in the violence. The targeting of civilians and religious institutions continues to remain a significant national concern.