Ethiopia's human rights commission confirms 48 killed in Oct. 24 attack in Shirka district

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said on Tuesday, Nov. 3, that its investigation confirmed 48 people were killed on Oct. 24 in Birbona Chole kebele, in Shirka district of Oromia's Southeast Oromia Zone, formerly Arsi Zone. The commission is Ethiopia's national human rights institution.

According to the commission, an armed group identifying itself as the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which officials call "Shene," entered the kebele from four directions. The commission said that attack killed 23 kebele-level security personnel, five militia members and 13 civilians, and injured 20 people. It said seven more civilians were killed separately by informal armed individuals in the area. It also reported 21 homes burned, 247 families displaced and livestock looted, Addis Standard and BBC News Amharic reported. The commission said it gathered evidence from victims, witnesses, religious leaders, officials and others, together with field observation and digital investigation.

EHRC Chief Commissioner Berhanu Adelo called the killings and displacement extremely concerning. He urged the government to strengthen protection for civilians, to carry out a "prompt, independent and effective investigation," and to help those displaced return home. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has said 46 of its faithful were killed in Shirka district on Oct. 24.

Separately, on Nov. 2 the head of the Oromia Communication Service, Hailu Adugna, said 73 suspects had been detained over the attack. He described them as members of Fano and of the OLA, The Abay Times and BBC News Afaan Oromoo reported. He did not say how many belonged to each group. The OLA had not commented.