48 killed in Southeast Oromia armed attack
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission confirms 20 injured, 247 households displaced and 21 houses destroyed.
48 people died and 20 were injured in an armed attack on October 24, 2026, in Ethiopia's Southeast Oromia Zone. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported that the OLF-Shene group attacked Birbona Chole Kebele, Sirka Woreda, destroying 21 houses and displacing 247 households. An undetermined number of cattle and sheep were also looted.
The EHRC investigation found the victims included 23 kebele security personnel, five militia members, and 20 civilians. The Commission gathered information from victims, families, eyewitnesses, and officials, verifying the killings through field and digital methods. EHRC Chief Commissioner Berhanu Adelo called the incident extremely serious and urged the government to strengthen civilian protection and improve early warning systems.
The Commission has repeatedly urged the government to prevent recurring attacks in the former Arsi Zone and bring perpetrators to justice. The EHRC is continuing investigations into human rights violations in Southeast Oromia and monitoring other regions including Gambella, the Oromia-Somali border, Amhara, and Tigray.
Why it mattersCivilians in Southeast Oromia are directly affected by an armed attack that resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement, and property destruction.