Assyrians Without Borders has recently been informed of the situation in northern Iraq. AWBs partners are reporting of a terrible and tragic suffering of the people. Region by region, the etno-religious minorities of the country are being subject to killing and persecution.
Zummar and Sinjar
Zummar and Sinjar are under the control of IS (Islamic State). Thousands of Yezidis were killed in the last couple of days, and they are facing a real genocide. Until yesterday, 45 children died of thirst due to the lack of water. It has been reported that some have thrown their children from the top of the Sinjar mountain in order to avoid having to see them die from hunger or thirst, or being taken by the IS terrorists.
1500 men were killed in front of their wives and families; 50 elderly men died from thirst and illness. More than 70 girls and women (including Christians) were taken, raped and being captured and sold. More than 100 families are captured in the Tel Afar airport. There is about 50 Christian families in Sinjar. Furthermore, the terrorists now control the Syriac Church there and have covered the cross of the church with their black banner. However, there is no knowledge of the circumstances and otherwise regarding those Christian families.
The Nineveh plain
Due to the continuous bombing on Telkief, the deacon Lujain Hikmat Nano was killed. Most of the families left their houses, which has resulted in a large exodus from Telkief, but also from Shekhan and its surrounding villages (Karanjo, Dashqotan and Ain Biqri etc.). In Ba’ashiqa, there has been bombings and battles as the IS terrorists are trying to take control of that area as well. The monastery of Ba’ashiqa is being evacuated. The Yezidis and the Christians are also fleeing from Ain Sifni, Batnaye and Tellisquf. In sum, there is an emerging exodus from the Nineveh plain.
Duhok
All possible rooms and facilities, such as empty houses in the villages, churchs, schools and mosques, are full of IDPs (internally displaced people) with bad living conditions. The people are in despair and our partners have witnessed their tragic destiny. Concerning Zakho and Center Duhok, they are under the KRG control.