01/01/2020 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – In what many are labeling as one of the most significant openings of the new decade for the Middle East region, Iranian backed militias located in Iraq laid violent siege to the American embassy in Baghdad. The siege began yesterday, and continued into today.

The geopolitical implications are significant, but there are also some notable details as it relates to the persecution of Christians in the region. A number of key militia-political leaders are present during the siege. Their anger had reached new heights this past July, when the US issued Global Magnitsky sanctions against some militia leaders who were complicit in a number of human rights abuses, including the persecution of Iraqi Christians. Since then, the situation has only deteriorated.

Media is incorrectly labeling the militias’ siege of the embassy as being conducted by protesters. The mistake is a significant one. The protesters are not allowed into the Green Zone, and are themselves victims of the militias’ violence. Protesters are asking for an end to Iran’s foreign involvement and equal rights that pay no attention to sectarian-religious differences. The protesters give Iraqi Christians hope. The militias are Iranian backed, wish to see Shi’ite Islam spread throughout the region, and have no regard for any human rights. The militias inspire fear throughout the Iraqi Christian community.

Any escalation of violence such as the embassy siege prompt further fears of deepening militia involvement in Iraq. Militia violence in the early 2000s prompted the first wave of Christian immigration from Iraq.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].