Drone Attack in Christian Community of Iraq: No Casualties Reported
A drone attack recently struck a Christian neighborhood in Erbil, Iraq, yet miraculously, no fatalities or injuries occurred. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions as Iran, the US, and Israel exchange missile fire, affecting nearby regions.
The Christian-majority area of Erbil was targeted on Wednesday night. While the perpetrator remains unidentified, suspicions point to an Iranian drone aiming for either a US military base or the Erbil International Airport.
(Photo: Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil)
The attack damaged a block of flats owned by the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil and the nearby convent of the Chaldean Daughters of Mary Immaculate. Fortunately, these flats had been evacuated due to their proximity to the US military base, preventing potential casualties.
Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil shared his concerns with Aid to the Church in Need, stating, “We are now in a time once again where we pray for the solidarity and support from our brothers and sisters around the world.”
This recent conflict raises questions for the remaining Christian population in the region about their future. Before the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, the Christian demographic was nearly one and a half million. However, the ensuing war and conflict with ISIS have drastically reduced their numbers to a few hundred thousand.
In reflecting on the situation, Archbishop Warda remarked, “When war erupts in the Middle East, we face another erosion, fast or slow. Do we stay? Do our children have a future? … We fear bombs and uncertainty. Our hope in Jesus is not built on politics but on God’s faithful presence.”
John Neill, an aide to Archbishop Warda, commented on the attack, expressing the community’s concern: “We are very concerned and shocked. War is so indiscriminate. It is miraculous that nobody seems to have been hurt. We pray to the Holy Spirit to help keep everyone safe.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
