More than 50 residents of Shirka Woreda, in Oromia's Southeast Zone (formerly Arsi zone), have been detained after burying victims of recent attacks and helping the wounded. Residents gave the account to Addis Standard, and AllAfrica republished the report on October 28. They said searches and arrests were continuing.
One resident was held for 24 hours and then released. The resident said young people who took part in burials, or who transported and treated gunshot victims, had been taken into custody. The grounds for the arrests are unclear. Detainees were reportedly accused of being "threats to the country." A resident of Gobesa town said at least 50 people remained in custody at Gobesa Police Station. According to the same resident, those held included relatives of the dead and women mourning in the streets.
The arrests followed attacks by armed men in Chole and Birbo kebeles. Residents told Addis Standard that the attacks killed at least 48 people and injured more than 31. They described house-to-house killings, looting and the use of heavy weapons. One resident said 37 victims were buried at Tereta Chole Saint Raphael Church and others at nearby churches. Two of the 22 gunshot victims later died.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's Holy Synod gave its own figures. It said 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two woredas. According to the Synod, 14 people died in Merti Woreda on October 20 and 46 in Shirka Woreda on October 24. The Synod called on the government to protect civilians, investigate the killings and bring those responsible to justice.
Hailu Adugna, head of the Oromia Regional State Communication Bureau, blamed an entity he called "Tsimdo" for the killings. He said the group wanted to divert government attention and escalate internal conflict. He gave no details about the attacks or how security forces responded. Addis Standard said it could not reach the bureau for further comment.
Residents also said authorities had been warned of an attack before October 24 but took no action. One resident said more than 200 people had been killed in the area since 2024. Addis Standard could not verify these claims. Residents said people were fleeing with their belongings and livestock, fearing that armed groups were advancing.
Attacks on civilians in Arsi have continued for years, often targeting Orthodox Christian communities. In attacks between May 30 and June 1, 2026, Teleta Saint Gabriel Church was burned. On June 15, a priest from Shirka Woreda was kidnapped and killed.