08/24/2021 Iraq (International Christian Concern) –  Bartella, located outside Mosul, is one of the world’s oldest Christian communities. But when ISIS captured the town in 2014, families fled to Kurdish northern Iraq. Though Christian families have since returned with the town’s liberation, Christians are now a minority and less than half made the trip back home.

Bartella is now home to many of Iraq’s other persecuted, religious minorities. One of these is Shabaks who settled over the last few decades. Local Christians struggle with the new religious diversity dynamics in the community, feeling that their historic Christian town is losing its identity. Shabaks have expressed their desire to live in unity with the other groups, as many have faced persecution living in Muslim-majority regions of Iraq and see a commonality in their vulnerability. Following the terror of the Islamic State, Bartella residents are wary of outsiders that are not part of their ancient communities, unsure of what they may bring to the town.

On a larger scale, Iraqi Christians who chose to remain in their home country following ISIS, now also fear its return. According to United States reports, the Islamic State remains a persistent low-level threat and while generally maintaining a low profile, is exploiting the regional weakness to rebuild. A United Nations report also references the attacks in Baghdad in January and April of this year that occurred despite heavy counter-terrorism efforts. It is estimated the Islamic State terrorist network retains cash reserves upwards of tens of millions of dollars.

For interviews, please contact Addison Parker: press@persecution.org.