More flee in wake of killings

BAGHDAD – Cars and trucks loaded with suitcases, mattresses and passengers cradling baskets stuffed with clothes lined up at checkpoints Monday to flee Mosul, a day after the 10th killing of an Iraqi Christian in the northern city so far this month.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but local leaders have blamed al-Qaida in Iraq, which maintains influence in the region despite an ongoing U.S.-Iraqi military operation launched in May.

The latest victim was a music store owner who was gunned down Sunday evening at work in an attack that left his teenage nephew wounded, according to police and a neighbor.

Farques Batool, in his 50s, had refused to join other Christians fleeing the city because he needed to care for his wife, a daughter, his mother and the family of his dead brother, his neighbor Raid Bahnam said.

Batool’s family finally fled Mosul after his death, leaving his wounded nephew in the hospital.

With the killing of at least 10 Christians this month, according to police, thousands have abandoned their homes in Mosul to seek refuge in churches and with relatives in neighboring villages or in relatively safe Kurdish-controlled areas nearby.

Faraj Ibraham, a 54-year-old power station employee who moved in with relatives in the village of Burtulla, said he was worried about his two daughters who had to leave school.

“We left in a hurry, and they forgot to bring even their books. It will be a heavy burden for them even if we get to return home soon,” he said.

Islamic extremists have frequently targeted Christians and other religious minorities since the 2003 U.S. invasion, forcing tens of thousands to flee Iraq – although attacks slowed with a nationwide decline in violence.

The reason for the latest surge in attacks was unclear. But it coincides with strong lobbying by Christian leaders for parliament to restore a quota system to give religious minorities seats on provincial councils that will be chosen by voters before the end of January.

U.N. special representative Staffan de Mistura strongly condemned “the spike in violence that has targeted the Christian communities in recent days” and warned the attacks were seeking to “fuel tensions and exacerbate instability at a critical time.”

Religious leaders called for action.

Local organizations appealed for help as they faced a flood of internal refugees.

For many Christians, this was not enough.

“Our situation needs active work, not just media propaganda from government officials,” Abdul-Ahad said. “The government should protect Christians in Mosul and safeguard their rights.”