Iraq: two churches attacked in Mosul

Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa

Two Christian Churches in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul have been bombed. The Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, Monsignor Basile Georges Casmoussa, confirmed that the attacks had taken place.

The Aswat al-Iraq news agency, reported that at least four people have been killed and 40 wounded in explosions at the Virgin Mary Church in al-Shifaa neighborhood, in western Mosul and the Annunciation Church in Chourta, in the northern neighbourhood of al-Mohandiseen.

A primary school next to the Virgin Mary Church was also damaged in the blast. Archbishop Casmoussa said as far as knew all the students had escaped unharmed.

The Archbishop said: "The attacks of the past weeks (another four Churches were targeted since the start of the month) and the killing of Christians is a terrible message for us.. Unfortunately these attacks will keep the faithful away from the churches at Christmas. The government is weak, six years from the start of the conflict, and is still not able to guarantee our security here in Mosul.

Source:Fides/Aswat al-Iraq