More than 60 Christians killed in Ethiopia 'massacre', church official says

More than 60 people have been killed in a series of attacks on Christians in Ethiopia's Oromia region, according to the country's Orthodox Church.

The regional government said that it would take action against those responsible.

A local official blamed the attacks on a newly formed rebel coalition, the Alliance for Survival, which includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The OLA has not commented but has denied carrying out previous such attacks.

A statement from the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church said that 20 houses were burnt to the ground in the attacks. It did not say who was responsible.

Eyewitness told BBC Amharic that five of those killed were children.

A church official described the attacks on three areas in the Shirka district as a "massacre", saying security forces arrived at the scene but were unable to stop the assault.

Many residents have now fled the area.

Condemning the violence, the Orthodox Church said attacks against Christians had been increasing recently, and that "such actions undermine the country's values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence".

Kaynak: BBC News World RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)