Thousands of residents are fleeing Ethiopia’s Arsi zone in the Oromia region, fearing escalating religious tensions and potential persecution. Reports indicate that many of those leaving belong to the Amhara ethnic group and are followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, raising alarm over the security situation in the region.
According to the Ethiopian Media Service (EMS), entire communities are abandoning their homes, some of which have been in their families for generations. Eyewitnesses, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the large-scale displacement, though the exact number of those affected and their destinations remain uncertain.
Despite the growing fear, some residents have chosen to stay, determined to face an increasingly volatile situation, which some fear could lead to targeted attacks. Arsi Zone and other parts of Oromia have witnessed repeated massacres of ethnic Amharas and Orthodox Christians over the past six years, fueling concerns that history may be repeating itself.
So far, Ethiopian Orthodox Church sources have not commented on the situation, and there has been no official government response addressing the crisis. The growing displacement raises urgent concerns about security, religious freedom, and the protection of vulnerable communities in Ethiopia.
