ICC Note: According to an official Iraqi/Kurdish spokesperson, ISIS is responsible for the destruction and damage of at least 100 places of worship in the Nineveh Province since June 2014. The vast majority of the destruction was committed against Christian churches and monuments but Yazidis temples and others were also among the 100. As Iraqi and Kurdish forces are still working to defeat the militant group in Mosul, it is unclear whether Christians will chose to return to their ancient homeland.

01/12/2017 Iraq (Agenzia Fides): At least 100 places of worship have been vandalized or completely demolished in the territories of Mosul and Nineveh Province since June 2014, when the jihadists of the Islamic State (Daesh) imposed their rule in that region. This is what Mariwan Naqshbandi, spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Autonomous Region of Iraqi Kurdistan reports, anticipating the contents of a report to be published by the Commission on crimes committed by militiamen of Daesh in Mosul and in the Nineveh Plain when they had control of that area.

In the document – said the Kurdish spokesman, according to local sources consulted by Agenzia Fides – it is highlighted that most of the destroyed or damaged religious sites are Christian churches, along with a number of Yazidi temples or belonging to other religious minorities. The Commission on crimes committed by Daesh – added Mariwan Naqshbandi – collects information thanks to the contribution of the Kurdish Peshmerga troops that contribute to the liberation war against the Islamic State, and is committed to also collecting data on violence against women – especially yazide – during the jihadist occupation.

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