The Federation of Amharas in North America (FANA) calls on the United Nations, African Union, United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, and international human rights organizations to take urgent action to protect Amhara civilians facing escalating identity-based violence in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region.

Since early August 2026, over 100 Amhara civilians have been killed and thousands displaced across communities in East Wollega and surrounding areas. The violence has included house-to-house killings, torture, village burnings, looting, attacks on churches and clergy, and mass displacement.

The Amhara Association of America’s (AAA) September 1 preliminary report independently documented at least 68 civilians killed between August 18 and 29 across Gida-Ayana, Limu-Gelila, and surrounding areas of East Wollega Zone, with additional civilians injured and displaced. The majority of identified victims were ethnic Amhara and/or followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC). Four historic EOTC churches were also completely burned.

According to available information, the attacks involved regular and irregular forces allied with the Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP) regime, including the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF); Oromia Region forces, including Gada Commandos (GC), Oromia Special Forces (OSF), militias, and other regional formations; and Qeerroo (violent Oromo ultra-nationalist mobs).

Read AAA’s report: https://www.amharaamerica.org/post/aaa-report-2026-09-01

Watch: Ethiopia — Amhara Attacks in Oromia Test Abiy Ahmed; Orthodox Church Sounds Alarm

This report by FirstPost provides additional coverage of the escalating attacks against Amhara civilians in Oromia Region and the growing concerns surrounding the violence, including attacks affecting Ethiopian Orthodox communities. It provides important additional context to the incidents and patterns documented in AAA’s report.

Civilians and Religious Leaders Targeted

Among the most disturbing incidents was the killing of Komos Aba Tadesse, chief administrator of Andode-Qidist-Selassie Church. Video footage shows him stripped and tortured by Oromia Region Gada Commando forces before his death. His remains were later recovered on farmland. Other clergy and church servants were also killed, while churches and civilian homes were burned.

In another case, a four-year-old girl was found wounded beside her deceased mother after remaining there for several days with a gunshot wound to her leg. Video footage showing the child beside her mother’s remains has become a devastating symbol of the suffering endured by civilians.

Thousands have fled their communities, leaving families without adequate food, shelter, medical treatment, or protection.

We Call for Immediate International Action
We urge international partners to:

1. Launch an independent international investigation into killings, torture, forced displacement, church attacks, looting, and destruction of civilian communities in East Wollega and surrounding areas.
2. Investigate command responsibility, including the role of Oromia Region security forces, state-aligned armed groups, and officials responsible for forces involved in serious abuses.
3. Impose targeted sanctions, including visa restrictions and asset freezes, against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Oromia Region President Shimelis Abdisa,  commanders, and others responsible for ordering, facilitating, concealing, or participating in serious human rights violations.
4. Secure immediate humanitarian access and civilian protection for displaced and threatened communities.
5. Support survivors and displaced families through emergency medical assistance, trauma care, shelter, livelihood assistance, and support for safe and voluntary return.

The international community cannot wait for more civilians to be killed before acting. No child should be left wounded beside a murdered parent. No religious leader should be tortured and killed. No family should be driven from its home because of its identity.

Please sign this petition and call on international institutions and governments to protect civilians, independently investigate the East Wollega massacres, impose targeted sanctions on those responsible, and ensure accountability for serious human rights violations against Amhara civilians.