An Iraqi security guard stands in front of the Syrian Catholic church in the Baghdad's central district of Karrada. Police reinforcements have helped stem the flight of Christians from their homes in Mosul, a local official has said, as the United Nations voiced concern at the community's plight in the northern Iraqi city. (AFP/Sabah Arar)Exodus Of Christians As Killers Step Up
Religious Cleansing In Iraq -- Times Online
Religious Cleansing In Iraq -- Times Online
As the family of Iraqi Christians sat down for dinner, a group of gunmen forced their way into the house. “Ten or 12 men swarmed into my home like bees,” the grandmother of the family told The Times. “They ordered us to stand up and raise our hands.
“They put a bomb in the living room ... and forced us outside. About ten minutes later the house was blown up.”
This story of violence against Christians is one of many to emerge over the past fortnight from Mosul, a flashpoint city in northern Iraq. At least 13 Christians have been killed in that period and fear of further attacks has prompted 1,200 families to flee to nearby villages, convents, monasteries and even farther afield to Iraq's Kurdish region to the north or to Baghdad in the south.
The Government has pledged to curb the violence, sending 2,500 additional police to the city — already the focus of a security operation in May that has so far failed to bring results. The extra forces were designed to assure the Christians of the Government’s commitment to their security and protection, said Ali al-Dabbagh, the Government’s representative.
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More News On Iraqi Christian Persecution
Iraqi Christians say forced to flee Mosul -- Reuters
Iraqi Christians forced to flee city -- Radio Australia
Flight of Christians in north Iraq eases -- AFP
Iraq PM vows to shield Christians -- BBC News