90% of Iraq’s Orthodox Christians Are Dislocated

KABUL: (Middle East Press) As ISIL continue their reign of violence, the chaos, violence and harassment forced upon the thousands of people in the region has caused 90 percent of Orthodox Christians in Iraq to escape the purity of their homes, Greek Orthodox Bishop for Baghdad, Ghattas Hazim reported.

Hazim, who is also the Greek Orthodox Bishop of Kuwait and other surrounding areas, said in a recent interview that he fears for the future of the Orthodox Christian presence in Iraq, Syria, and the whole Mesopotamia region.

Citing unnamed statistics, Hazim said that 90 percent of Iraqi Orthodox Christians have been displaced from their homes.

He added that only 30 of 600 Orthodox families stay in Baghdad as ISIS’ quest to overcome the city continues.

In Mosul, only 10 Orthodox families remain, although it’s believed that the only Christians left in Mosul are those who could not afford to, or physically, escape.