Franklin Graham says radical Islamists are causing the 'demise' of Iraq

Franklin Graham says the U.S. and other nations should not let the tragedy in Iraq continue or be repeated elsewhere.Reuters

Reverend Franklin Graham believes that the Islamic State (ISIS) would be the downfall of Iraq. If the ISIS jihadists are not neutralised, Graham worries that the same atrocities they are implementing in the country would expand to other nations.

"Some horrific numbers have just been released about Iraq. Almost 19,000 civilians — yes just civilians — have been killed in Iraq in the past 21 months, with another 36,000 being injured," he wrote on his Facebook page. "And that's not all. About 3.2 million people had to leave their homes within the country — including a million school-aged children."

ISIS also holds around 3,500 slaves and "continues to subject women and children to sexual violence and slavery," Graham said. "Unbelievable atrocities are revealed in the report including the Islamic State killing child soldiers who flee and killing women who refuse to be forced into sex with their fighters."

The same report also revealed that ISIS holds a "Quran recitation contest" in Baghdad, then rewards winners with sex slaves as prizes. Because of what is happening in Iraq, Graham said the future of the country looks bleak.

"We are witnessing the demise of a country at the hands of Islamists. I agree with the U.N. — this is 'staggering.' The U.S. and other nations should take note and not let this tragedy continue or be repeated elsewhere," he stressed.

Earlier, Graham expressed concern that America might be the next target of terrorists. He said leaders must be very careful in letting refugees in, adding that the simultaneous terror attacks that occurred in Paris last November should serve as a wake-up call to them.

"We have cause to be alarmed at these stories and at the number of potential terrorists and jihadists we having living inside our borders right here on American soil. It's not a secret — their goal is to kill all those who do not follow Islam and expand the territory of the Islamic State to the entire world," he said.