Five clergy members were killed and at least 15 others wounded in an attack on the Atrons Mariam Orthodox Church in Ethiopia on Saturday, according to reports from church officials and local authorities.
Among the dead were Qomos Aba Moges Fisha, the church's administrator, Emahoy Dinqe Takele, the church's guardian, and Qesis Kinefe Rigib Andargé, who had conducted the morning liturgy hours before the attack. Two deacons, Beaman and Belete Aschalew, also died in the violence.
The attack adds to a pattern of violence targeting religious sites across Ethiopia, where conflict has displaced millions and strained the nation's social fabric. Church officials report that at least 15 clergy and congregants sustained serious injuries, including multiple deacons and church workers.
"This is not just an attack on a building," said a church official who requested anonymity for security reasons. "This is an attack on the foundation of our community, on the people who serve our most vulnerable."
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, one of the world's oldest Christian institutions, has become increasingly vulnerable amid the country's multiple armed conflicts. Religious leaders across denominations have called for protection of civilians and sacred sites.
Local authorities have not yet attributed the attack to any specific armed group, though several insurgencies operate in regions where the Orthodox Church maintains a strong presence. The attack occurred during morning services, when congregants were gathered for worship.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that Ethiopia's various conflicts are taking an increasingly severe toll on civilians, particularly those in rural areas where government protection is limited. Religious sites, traditionally considered neutral ground, have not been spared.
The Ethiopian government has not yet issued a formal statement on the attack. Church leaders are calling for immediate investigations and accountability for those responsible.
