03/07/2019 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – Christians and other religious minorities living in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains fled Islamic State militants in 2014, and even though the militants were declared defeated in 2017, many have not returned home.
In part, instability and insecurity in the Nineveh Plains serves as a significant deterrent. At the same time, many of these Christians are homeless and lack the resources needed to rebuild the infrastructure which supported them when they used to live in the Nineveh Plains. Many of these Christians are living in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and have been hosted in housing provided by various groups and entities.
However, their continued presence in these buildings is a significant strain on resources. In the case of displaced families living above Erbil’s Nishtiman Bazzar, this challenge is evident. The building’s owner allowed the families to live their rent free during ISIS’s occupation, but wants his building back now that ISIS is defeated. The families cannot afford to rebuild their destroyed homes. Negotiations are ongoing regarding a possible compromise.
For interviews with Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
