Christians Call on Int’l Community to Protect Them; 29 Killed in Iraq

Due to the postponement of Kurdish regional elections until next year, the Kurdish Parliament is forced to reallocate presidential powers after November 1, the original date for elections. Current president, Masoud Barzani, had promised he would not run for the post again, and Parliament has ensured that outcome by freezing his activities. Barzani’s original term was to have ended in 2013.

Iraq General Othman al-Ghanimi told reporters that progress is being made in talks between Iraq and Kurdistan. Enough so that Iraqi and Kurdish officials have extended a ceasefire while they continue discussions.

Almost 1,300 Yazidi families have fled their homes north of Mosul in the Bapire residential compound due to the arrival of Shi’ite militias.

In Kirkuk, Shi’ite militiamen are accused of raiding a café and randomly arresting Kurds. The militias are said to be in control of the city.

Meanwhile, militiamen are reportedly still destroying homes in Tuz Khormato.

The Soraya Civil Society, a Christian organization, called on the U.N. Security Council and the European Union to protect Christians and Yazidi who are being shelled in the Faysh Khabur, Afzrok Shno, Bakhluja, Dirabon, Qrola, and Soraya areas. Christians in the area are also asking Pope Francis and United States to intervene.

At least 29 were killed, and nine were wounded:

A blast in Taji wounded three people.

In Baghdad, one person was killed and four were wounded in a bombing. A bomb wounded two police personnel.

Fifteen militants were killed in Barwajli.

Airstrikes in Anbar killed at least 10 militants.

At separate locations in the Qaim area, two suicide bombers were killed.

A suicide bomber was killed in Meshada.

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Author: Margaret Griffis

Margaret Griffis is a journalist from Miami Beach, Florida and has been covering Iraqi casualties for Antiwar.com since 2006.