Two attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region killed at least 60 Orthodox Christians, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church said, according to AP and the BBC. The Holy Synod said 14 people were killed in Merti district on October 20 and 46 in Shirka district on October 24, both in Arsi Zone. More than 20 people were seriously wounded and 20 homes were burned, the church said.

AP reported that Oromia regional government spokesman Hailu Adugna blamed the Oromo Liberation Army, or OLA, and accused rebels of trying to stir ethnic and religious conflict. Adugna said regional authorities had begun action against those responsible and pledged help for the wounded and displaced. The OLA could not be reached for comment, AP said. Its leader has denied that his fighters target civilians.

The BBC said a local official blamed a newly formed rebel coalition that includes the OLA. A church official described the Shirka assaults as a massacre and said security forces arrived but could not stop the attack. The church said attacks on Christians had been rising and that officials had not done enough after earlier warnings.

Oromia is Ethiopia's largest region and has seen years of fighting between government forces and the OLA. Rights groups have accused both sides of abuses. No group publicly claimed the latest killings in the cited reports.

What we know: The church reports at least 60 dead in two Arsi Zone attacks, and authorities blame the OLA.
What we don't: An independent body count and any claim of responsibility from the accused fighters.