By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Ethiopia, 3 June 2026 - A new wave of deadly violence has swept through Ethiopia's East Arsi Zone in Oromia Region, leaving several people dead, churches destroyed, and hundreds of residents fleeing into nearby forests in what community leaders and religious authorities describe as an escalating security crisis targeting civilians.
According to reports from affected communities, armed attacks began on 30 May 2026 in remote localities around Teleta Gebriel in Aseko District before spreading to neighboring areas, forcing residents to abandon their homes amid fears of further violence.
Witnesses said that attackers burned churches, destroyed property, and targeted villages, prompting many families to seek refuge in forests and remote areas for safety.
The latest violence comes barely three months after a series of deadly attacks in East Arsi and neighboring districts left dozens of civilians dead, many of them members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
Those attacks prompted widespread condemnation from religious leaders, civil society organizations and human rights groups.
Responding to the latest bloodshed, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church issued a strongly worded appeal to authorities, calling for urgent intervention to stop the recurring attacks and hold perpetrators accountable.
In a statement issued on June 3, the Patriarch condemned the violence reported in Aseko, Shirka, Honkolo Wabe and Munesa districts of the Arsi Zone, warning that continued attacks against civilians were deepening fear and instability in the region.
The church leader urged authorities to "break this chain of attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice," stressing that repeated incidents were causing immense suffering among local communities.
His remarks echo earlier calls by the Permanent Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, which previously condemned killings in East Arsi and demanded swift investigations and accountability.
The latest attacks highlight the continuing security challenges facing parts of Oromia despite ongoing government efforts to stabilize conflict-affected areas.
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The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) previously reported that renewed violence in districts including Shirka, Guna, Merti, Aseko and Honkolo Wabe since late 2025 had resulted in deaths, injuries, destruction of property and the displacement of residents.
Human rights monitors have warned that recurring attacks are creating a growing humanitarian burden as families are repeatedly forced from their homes and livelihoods disrupted by insecurity.
The violence comes at a sensitive moment for Ethiopia, just days after the country conducted its 7th General Election in most parts of the country.
While international observer missions from IGAD and the African Union commended the generally peaceful conduct of voting, ongoing insecurity in parts of Oromia, Amhara and Tigray has continued to raise concerns about the broader security environment.
For residents of East Arsi, however, the immediate concern remains survival.
With churches burned, homes abandoned and families sheltering in forests, community leaders say urgent humanitarian assistance and stronger security measures are needed to prevent further loss of life.
As authorities investigate the latest attacks, religious leaders and residents alike are demanding not only justice for the victims but also lasting solutions to a cycle of violence that has repeatedly scarred communities across the region.