ISIS Closes In On Christians in Dramatic Overnight Development

Aleteia ^ | August 7, 2014 | JOHN BURGER

[NYer]

Various

ISIS, the radical Islamist group that forced Christians out of Mosul with the threat of death, has taken control of most of the villages of the Nineveh Plain, the northern area where Iraqi Christians have hunkered down in what is appearing increasingly to look like ethnic cleansing.

In a statement in which the Vatican referst to "terrible developments," Pope Francis has called for help from the "international community."

"His Holiness urgently calls on the international community to protect all those affected or threatened by the violence, and to guarantee all necessary assistance—especially the most urgently needed aid—to the great multitude of people who have been driven from their homes, whose fate depends entirely on the solidarity of others," today's statment read."

The overnight development was reported in an urgent letter from Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako of the Chaldean Catholic Church.
 
“The ISIS militants attacked with mortars most of the villags of the plain of Nineveh, during the night of 6th-7th of August and now they are controlling the area,” Patriarch Sako said, writing from Baghdad today in a letter emailed to Aleteia partner Aid to the Church in Need.

The Associated Press, quoting "several priests in northern Iraq," reported that militants from the Islamic State group overran a cluster of predominantly Christian villages alongside the country's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, sending tens of thousands of civilians and Kurdish fighters fleeing from the area.

The capture of Qaraqoush, Iraq's biggest Christian village, and at least four other nearby hamlets, brings the Islamic State to the very edge of the Iraqi Kurdish territory and its regional capital, Irbil.

Irbil is one of the towns to which the Christian population of Northern Iraq, which stands at approximately 100,000, is fleeing, along with Duhok and Soulaymiyia, Patriarch Sako said. The veritable exodus, taking place under soaring temperatures, includes sick, elderly, infants and pregnant women, he said.

“They are facing a human catastrophe and risk a real genocide,” the Patriarch wrote. “They need water, food, shelter…”

Patriarch Sako said that churches and affiliated properties in the Christian villages are being occupied, and some are being destroyed and desecrated. The destruction includes the burning of old manuscripts and documents, he added.

The Islamic State has already seized large chunks of northern and western Iraq in a blitz offensive in June, including Iraq's second-largest city of Mosul. The onslaught has pushed Iraq into its worst crisis since the 2011 withdrawal of U.S. troops.

The al-Qaida-breakaway group since has imposed a self-styled caliphate in territory it controls in Iraq and Syria, imposing its own harsh interpretation of Islamic law. Iraqi government forces and allied Sunni tribal militiamen have been struggling to dislodge the Islamic State militants with little apparent progress.

Bishop Joseph Tomas, who is based in the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk, said the Islamic State pushed into Qaraqoush and four surrounding hamlets—Tilkaif, Bartella, Karamless and Alqosh—on Wednesday and was in control of them on Thursday.

Kurdish peshmerga units, which had protected the area, fled along with civilians, Bishop Tomas said. Other priests contacted by AP confirmed the information.

The raid started late Wednesday, and by 10pm, most Kurdish fighters had pulled out, said Father Gabriel, a resident of Alqosh.

The Christians and members of other minority groups ran for their lives, with tens of thousands heading to Kurdish northern Iraq, he added.

"All Christian villages are now empty," said Bishop Tomas.

[Lil Flower]

Well our resident is going to drop them food so they can have a last meal before they are slaughtered.

Even knowing about this for weeks, he had to plan his vacation.

[left that other site]

Amen to your prayer.

[BurningOak]

Whatever few Christians are still left in that “country” need to GTFO. Now, not tomorrow, not in an hour and a half, now. These cannibals will butcher the lot of them and practice their soccer skills with the severed heads. Leave, run, any direction just don’t stop. Dito to Yezidis and any Kurd or Shiite who ends up in ISIS territory. The UN is only good for yelling at Israel, they will not do anything to defend you.

[BurningOak]

ISIS will not be dislodged by an air campaign. Troops on the ground in both Iraq and Syria (lines on old maps, no longer nations) are the only thing that will stop these butchers. But the American public is in no mood to fight another war in the ME, this time side by side with our dear Iranian allies.

[UCANSEE2]

Someone Is Bombing ISIS in Iraq

[ought-six]

I’d fight.

[Salvation]

Prayer for Iraq

O God, who art the unsearchable abyss of peace,
the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings
and the bestower of affection,
who sendest peace to those that receive it;

Open to us this day the sea of thy love
and water us with plenteous streams
from the riches of thy grace
and from the most sweet springs of thy kindness.

Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace,
enkindle in us the fire of thy love;
sow in us thy fear;
strengthen our weakness by thy power;
bind us closely to thee and to each other
in our firm and indissoluble bond of unity:

Syrian Clementine Liturgy (in: For all God’s people; p. 73)

Litany for Iraq

For lasting peace in this ancient land – From you, O Lord.
For wisdom and compassion for all in authority – From you, O Lord.
For comfort for families separated or bereaved – From you, O Lord.
For the release of captives – From you, O Lord.
For safety and security for minority communities.
For refreshment for the weary and healing for the sick – From you, O Lord.
For continuing faithfulness of the ancient churches of this land – From you, O Lord.
For tenacity of spirit for small Christian groups – From you, O Lord.
For the mutual enrichment and support of those of different Christian traditions – From you, O Lord.

You, Lord of all, we confess;
You, Lord Jesus, we glorify;
For you are the life of our bodies
And you are the Saviour of our souls.

The response in the litany and this hymn both come from the Chaldean liturgy. The ancient hymn celebrates Christ the source of resurrection in all situations of death and deprivation. (in: With All God’s People, p. 21, 22)

 

[1010RD]

We could use a 21st century crusade. Given what the local ruling families are doing with Israel and Hamas I suspect they’d be welcomed.

[ConfusedSwede]

Her in sweden a professor in political science told a newspaper that it was rascist to be against ISIS.

[CivilWarBrewing]

Obama is a Christian killer. Ladies of America, is this what you wanted?

WOMAN: "ISIS BEHEADING CHRISTIANS BY THE THOUSANDS OH BOY I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!"

[NYer]

ISIS put out a video of one of those beheadings on YouTube. Just could not bring myself to watch it.

[Gene Eric]

Islam is a war plan.

[Gene Eric]

A shallow character for shallow idiots.

[Westbrook]

> Christians flee their homes with only the clothes on their
> backs. How would you handle this situation in order to
> protect your family?

A poignant question that I think we will have to answer soon right here in the States.

[Trailerpark Badass]

ISIS is acting very irresponsibly!

[grania]

I think the US population would overwhelmingly support olbliterating ISIS. They're our creation. We funded, trained, and armed them to get rid of a leader who protected Christians.

Beyond disgusted.....

Is the US still funding these "pro democracy" rebels in Syria?

[Cold Heat]

Exactly so.....lol...lecture,,,just a lecture.

[NYer]

This video of the christian refugees was taken earlier today, in Iraq. They are desperate for help ... no food. no water ... infants, children, women and the elderly.

Iraqi Christians Fleeing ISIL Again: US Must Fix What it Started... Maliki, Where are You?

[RedMDer]

FReepers! Let's go!
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FReepathon day 37.

Two percent a day keeps the 404 away.

[EBH]

Glenn Beck
2 hours ago
Facebook Page

Just received this message from a crisis relief partner of Mercury One who is on the ground in Iraq helping deliver much needed aid.

He said that ISIS militants are only 10 minutes away from where they are serving refugees. He goes on to say, “Thousands more refugees fled into the city last night. UN evacuated it’s station. Our team is remaining to serve as best as can for now.” Please pray for these and other courageous volunteers and all those who are suffering around the globe from such human tragedy.

Just got another message moments ago. Some reports of the systematic beheading of kids by ISIS. PRAY!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/GlennBeck?hc_location=timeline