Few Christians Returning to Restive Iraqi City

 

Baghdad – AP– Iraqi officials say few Christians are returning to the restive city of Mosul despite government pledges of financial support and protection.

Local migration official Jawdat Ismaeel says every Christian family that comes back to Mosul will receive about $865 on orders of the prime minister. But he said Wednesday that only a handful of Christians have returned.

Iraqi officials say nearly 10,000 Christians have fled the Iraqi city this month because of threats and attacks. Sunni insurgents are believed to be behind the campaign that has chased away roughly half the city’s Christian population.

Political and religious leaders throughout Iraq have spoken out against the persecution of Christians.