Assyrian Church of the East Leader Expresses Hope for Mosul’s Liberation Amid Concerns for Christian Communities (Mosul, Iraq)

Iraqi Christians are cautiously hopeful about the military offensive in Mosul and the Ninevah Plain, their ancestral homeland for over 14 centuries. The Assyrian Church of the East’s archimandrite, Fr. Emanuel Youkhana, who leads the Christian Aid Program Northern Iraq, noted that many Christians have endured miserable conditions since being expelled by the Islamic State in 2014. “They’ve been waiting for this day,” Youkhana said, “and many are eager to return.” However, he emphasized that the military operation is only the first step toward their return, requiring security guarantees and extensive reconstruction efforts.

The Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Yousif Thomas Mirkis of Kirkuk echoed similar sentiments, stating that Iraqi Christians view the operations “with hope and fear.” Mirkis acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that while the removal of Islamic State militants is a positive step, the deeper societal impact of their ideology remains a challenge. “How do we heal the country from this kind of fanaticism?” he asked, highlighting the need for long-term societal reconciliation.

The Kirkuk archdiocese has been instrumental in supporting displaced Iraqi Christians, providing shelter and pastoral care to those forced from their homes by Islamic State violence. The group demanded that Mosul residents leave, convert to Islam, or face death. The archdiocese has accommodated hundreds of displaced individuals, many of whom have fled to regions within Iraq or neighboring countries like Jordan and Lebanon.

Prior to the Islamic State’s capture of Mosul in 2014, the city was home to over 2 million people. Today, it is estimated that only about 1 million residents remain, with approximately 130,000 having relocated within Iraq and thousands seeking refuge abroad. The humanitarian situation in Mosul has drawn significant attention, with the U.N. warning that up to 13 million people in Iraq may require aid by year’s end, making the Mosul crisis one of the largest humanitarian operations of 2016.

The Assyrian Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Church have played critical roles in supporting their communities during this period of upheaval. Both churches have been deeply involved in providing aid, spiritual guidance, and advocacy for the displaced. Their efforts reflect a commitment to caring for the vulnerable, a theme echoed in Proverbs 31:8-9, which calls for defending the rights of the poor and needy. As the military campaign continues, the focus remains on ensuring that the return of displaced Christians is accompanied by security, stability, and the rebuilding of their communities.

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