Largest Christian town in Iraq captured by Islamic militants

 (AP)

Jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) group captured the city of Qaraqosh in Iraq last night, forcing thousands to flee.

Militants pushed back Kurdish troops and then moved in overnight to take over four Christian-majority towns, including Qaraqosh which is home to Iraq's largest Christian community.

"I now know that the towns of Qaraqosh, Tal Kayf, Bartella and Karamlesh have been emptied of their original population and are now under the control of the militants," Chaldean archbishop of Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyah, Joseph Thomas, confirmed to AFP.

"It's a catastrophe, a tragic situation. We call on the UN Security Council to immediately intervene," he urged.

"Tens of thousands of terrified people are being displaced as we speak, it cannot be described."

A Tal Kayf resident who witnessed the events last night told AFP that the city is "now in the hands of the Islamic State".

"They faced no resistance and rolled in just after midnight. I heard some gunshots last night and when I looked outside, I saw a military convoy from the Islamic State. They were shouting 'Allahu Akbar' (God is greatest)," Boutros Sargon recalled. He has been forced to join the thousands who are fleeing the escalating violence.

Qaraqosh and the surrounding towns are said to have contained at least a quarter of Iraq's historic Christian population before the insurgents moved in.

This latest move from IS comes amid increasing violence and persecution in Iraq, as militants – who follow a fundamentalist strain of Sunni Islam – attempt to form a caliphate across a stretch of Syria and Iraq.

In 2003, there were around 1.5 million Christians living in Iraq. There are now thought to be less than 200,000.

related articles
Crisis in Iraq - five things you can ACTUALLY do to help
Crisis in Iraq - five things you can ACTUALLY do to help

Crisis in Iraq - five things you can ACTUALLY do to help

The rise of ISIS: how an unknown splinter group came to dominate Iraq
The rise of ISIS: how an unknown splinter group came to dominate Iraq

The rise of ISIS: how an unknown splinter group came to dominate Iraq

\'End could be very near\' for Iraq\'s Christians after ISIS ultimatum
'End could be very near' for Iraq's Christians after ISIS ultimatum

'End could be very near' for Iraq's Christians after ISIS ultimatum

\'They just go around and shoot the odd person dead\'. Vicar of Baghdad on ISIS
'They just go around and shoot the odd person dead'. Vicar of Baghdad on ISIS

'They just go around and shoot the odd person dead'. Vicar of Baghdad on ISIS

ISIS in Mosul: separating fact from fiction
ISIS in Mosul: separating fact from fiction

ISIS in Mosul: separating fact from fiction

France ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians
France ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians

France ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians

Day of prayer for Iraqi Christians
Day of prayer for Iraqi Christians

Day of prayer for Iraqi Christians

\'They would not convert and it cost them their life\'. Family of eight Iraqi Christians shot in the face
'They would not convert and it cost them their life'. Family of eight Iraqi Christians shot in the face

'They would not convert and it cost them their life'. Family of eight Iraqi Christians shot in the face

News
The story of the pope known as the Apostle to the English
The story of the pope known as the Apostle to the English

Pope Gregory I, known as Gregory the Great, was one of the most important popes, and his positive legacy is still felt today - not least in Britain. This is the story … 

Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide

Christians are doubling down on efforts to stop assisted suicide becoming legal in England and Wales after Kim Leadbeater's bill was debated in Westminster on Friday. 

Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign
Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign

More than 100 Christian leaders recently came together at a parliamentary reception in London for the launch of Shine Your Light 2025 — a bold evangelistic initiative aiming to bring the message of Christ to streets, neighbourhoods, and marketplaces across the UK.

Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling
Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling

An NHS trust has been accused of continually flouting the law around women’s rights by requiring female nurses to get changed in front of a biologically male nurse who goes by the name of “Rose”.