BBC Amharic – An attack in South Gonder Zone left seven people killed including church workers say witnesses
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Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from BBC Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
BBC Amharic – An attack in South Gonder Zone left seven people killed including church workers say witnesses
April 22, 2026 (Miyazia 14, 2018 EC)
Last Friday, April 17, 2026 (Miyazia 9, 2018 EC) state soldiers carried out an attack in the small town of Sali located in Lay Gayint Woreda of South Gonder Zone in Amhara Region leaving seven people killed and damages to a church according to sources who spoke to BBC.
The killed victims included church deacons, one Mergetta (religious teacher), a veterinarian and three farmers.
The workers were killed as they were leaving the church after service near the courtyard while three others were killed in their homes and another was killed on the road according to information received by BBC.
The attack took place in the area after a public call to “collect voter cards” after which fighting broke out between Fano forces and state forces say witnesses.
BBC attempted to contact administrators in Lay Gayint Woreda and South Gonder Zone for a response to the matter however they were unwilling to provide any comment.
The attack was carried out in the small town of Sali which is located 25 km from the woreda’s administrative center of Nefas Mewcha, and had been under control of Fano forces say residents.
“On Friday they came and told us to gather for an elections meeting. Then Fano came in opposition saying, ‘what elections,’ and gunfire broke out” said one resident describing what took place in the town prior to the attack.
Servants of the ‘Debre Birhan Sali Baleegziabher’ Church were partaking in holy water drinking for babtism service following the end of liturgy when the fighting broke out, they explained to BBC. This eyewitness said a significant number of state soldiers entered the church.
They physically assaulted the church security guards after which they entered the church courtyard according to church members who escaped and spoke to BBC. They said as soon as they entered, they ordered the church members to come out of the sanctuary area and beat them with rifle butts and sticks.
Over seven workers were made to lie on their chests and kneel after which they opened fire.
“When they struck them, we fell to the ground” said one worker explaining how they survived the attack, while another said they survived the gunfire “by divine intervention.”
After the three church workers were struck “the leader said ‘how can you kill civilians? Do not come here’ he told him. We were told ‘those of you who have survived should run’” they said explaining how they survived.
The eyewitness, who told the BBC that they were certain they were going to die, said that he and four other church servants, including the church administrator, managed to escape ‘by sheer instinct,’ running for their lives.
A father who spoke to BBC said his son, a 21-year-old deacon, was among the victims “I was told ‘he has fallen you must come.’ I came swiftly” he said explaining the circumstances by which he learned of his son’s death.
When he arrived at the church, he saw the bodies of his son and the other church workers saying “I hated my existence” as he explained that the workers were shot multiple times.
The father expressed his feelings saying, “the sky fell on me,” adding “what life do I have? ...I should go and die like my son. I have no life after this. I would like to repent for my sins and die. My son who served the church died tragically, from now on I have no wish but to die, I can’t farm and eat any longer” he said.
“They entered the church courtyard and struck them” said the father of the victim, who described the killing saying, “it was an execution.”
Three victims were “forcibly” taken from their homes before they were killed said residents, while the veterinarian was accused of “firearm possession” and was forcibly taken towards the “Tseday Bank” area where he was killed on the street.
The killed victims looked after farmland and cattle which they used to provide for their families.
Two eyewitnesses who escaped the attack said the attack was carried out by the “army” describing state soldiers.
BBC spoke to three sources who said they did not know why the killing was carried out and that the state soldiers did not explain why they came to the church courtyard.
A burial ceremony was held for the victims en masse and at night due to ongoing fear related to the incident and the wounds sustained by the victims.
“When the gunfire subsided, we gathered the remains, but it was difficult to bury because the remains were dismembered” said a father who buried his fourth child.
Workers who survived the attack told BBC that they faced “bitter sorrow” and that the killed victims were buried in two mass graves.
“The community is sorrowful. The residents are mourning and complaining. They are saddened beyond their means.”
Residents said the killing resulted in severe shock in the area.
The workers said the church was struck by heavy artillery which resulted in damages, “the roofing of the prayer room was completely struck, the walls were struck, it all collapsed. We have suffered heavy damages.”
Following the killing the church was closed said three sources who spoke to BBC, while workers who survived have not returned to the church out of fear for their lives they say.
They told us that yesterday on Monday, April 20 (Miyazia 12), the regular monthly commemoration of St. Michael was not held, and that only a few servants conducted “Kidan” (a limited prayer service).
As they explained that they were unable to hold prayers they said, “since our friends were killed, we do not have enough people.”
“I have survived today; I am praying, wondering what tomorrow will bring. The community is also afraid to go out and return home,” they said, describing the situation they are in.
In recent months intense fighting has taken place between Fano forces and state forces in South Gonder Zone.
