Iraq: Humanitarian Concerns Remain After Mosul Freed from ISIS
Elevate Christian Network :: News and Events
(Iraq): According to 2 separate tweets from Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, (1) “From the Old City we announce the liberation of Mosul and remember the heroic sacrifices of our armed forces and their families. ” (2) “As we announce the liberation of Mosul we also acknowledge the challenges of reconstruction and stability and call on Iraqis to unite.”
The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, declared Mosul as its territory in June of 2014. Since then, more than 100,000 Christians have been displaced. Many were forced to convert to Islam, pay a tax, or flee the city.
Mosul’s captivity under ISIS particularly affected the international Christian community, as reports said that the extremist group had destroyed or taken captive all of Mosul’s churches and religious institutions.
Occupation of Mosul by the Islamic State
According to William Stark at International Christian Concern, “For over three years, ISIS was allowed to occupy Mosul and its surrounding towns, some of which were considered Christian safe havens. During this occupation, ISIS not only destroyed much of what these Christians considered the symbols of their community, such as churches and schools, but also the homes these Christians were forced to leave in 2014.
Stark went on to say, “There is much healing and rebuilding needed if Christians are to return to their communities in northern Iraq.”
BBC reports that over 5,000 buildings have been damaged and 490 have been destroyed in the Old City. Activists have also been calling on governments to remember the humanitarian needs that remain.
Read the full story…. christianitydaily.com
Mosul: Searching for survivors in city ‘liberated’ from Islamic State
(BBC News) The Iraqi government says the city of Mosul has been liberated from so-called Islamic State, three years after it was first occupied by the jihadists. The BBC’s Jonathan Beale is in the heart of the war-torn city, and has witnessed rescue teams searching for survivors in wrecked buildings.
Social Media Comments:
Statement on the Liberation of Mosul: "We will continue to seek the total destruction of ISIS." https://t.co/422al53uZN
— President Trump (@POTUS) July 11, 2017
As we announce the liberation of Mosul we also acknowledge the challenges of reconstruction and stability and call on Iraqis to unite pic.twitter.com/jyXyPrkNTZ
— Haider Al-Abadi (@HaiderAlAbadi) July 11, 2017
Congratulations to brave people & Government of Iraq upon liberation of Mosul. When Iraqis join hands, no limits to what they can achieve.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) July 9, 2017
Across the web:
Kuwait congratulates Iraq on liberation of Mosul – Xinhua Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent cables on Monday to Iraqi President Fuad Masum and Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi to offer congratulations to the Iraqi government and people on the liberation of Mosul, the official KUNA news …Kuwait News Agency
The Liberation Of Mosul From ISIS Gives Fresh Hopes To Families Of 39 Indians Abducted In 2014 – Indiatimes.com With the Iraqi government officially confirming the fall of Mosul the Iraqi city where the Islamic State established its so called Caliphate in 2014, the three year-wait of 39 families in India for news about their loved ones have once again seeing a …
Malaysia on high alert for fleeing militants after Mosul’s liberation – Channel NewsAsia KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is on high alert for fleeing militants after Iraqi government forces claimed victory against the Islamic State group in Mosul and Raqqa. Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on Monday (Jul 10) said intelligence reports …
Images courtesy: Iraq, xinhuanet.com, indiatimes.com, channelnewsasia.com
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