Christian Headlines Blog Christian Blog and Commentary

Act now to share the love of Christ in the Middle East

Christian Village Liberated from ISIS’ Control after 2 Years

  • Veronica Neffinger

    Veronica Neffinger wrote her first poem at age seven and went on to study English in college, focusing on 18th century literature. When she is not listening to baseball games, enjoying the…

    More
  • Updated Sep 06, 2016

A Christian village in Iraq has been liberated by Assyrian Christian forces after being under ISIS’ control for two years.

ChristianToday.com reports that the village of Badaneh, which has been called a “traditionally Christian village,” was liberated from ISIS’ control by the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU).

"Liberation of Badanah village in #Khazer axis by NPU warriors with the support of international coalition by airstrikes, heavy and middle weapons" said a statement from the NPU.

Although many celebrated the liberation of Badaneh, there has been controversy over whether Christian military forces such as the NPU should exist.

Some allege that such forces are not truly Christian, and the real Christians in the region have either been driven from their homes by the conflict or are living in poverty and facing persecution.

"There are no 'Christian militias', but only politicized groups and simple people who are in desperate need of a salary," stated Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako. "The remaining Christians in Iraq are only the poor and those belonging to the middle class, and among them, there are 100,000 displaced people."

However, the Assyrian Confederation of Europe has said that the NPU is “officially recognized and supported by the Iraqi government.”

 

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: September 6, 2016