Assyrians protest the 'Black March' in Sydney's CBD

Official Report - 1/11/10
source: aina.org

At least 37 people have been killed after Iraqi security forces stormed a Catholic church in central Baghdad to free dozens of hostages being held by gunmen there, security sources say.

Twenty-five hostages were among the dead, along with se...ven members of the Iraqi security forces and at least five of the attackers, they told the BBC.

About 100 people had been inside Our Lady of Salvation for an evening Mass.

The gunmen had reportedly demanded the release of jailed al-Qaeda militants.

The local TV station, al-Baghdadiya, said it had received a phone call from someone claiming to be one of the attackers, who said they were from the Islamic State of Iraq, a Sunni militant umbrella group to which al-Qaeda in Iraq belongs.

Reports said the attackers were not Iraqis, but foreign Arabs.

The raid came two days after a suicide attack on a cafe in Diyala province left 21 people dead.

'Priest killed'

Residents of Baghdad's Karada district, where the attack took place, first heard a loud explosion at about 1700 (1400 GMT), followed by gunfire.

Police said a group of armed men began by attacking the Iraq Stock Exchange building, and then took over the Catholic church just across the road, clashing with guards and killing some of them.

Security forces later surrounded the church and sealed off the area, with helicopters hovering overhead. Then they stormed the building.

Witnesses nearby said they then heard two explosions from inside the church and more shooting.

One eyewitness, who was inside the church, was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying that the gunmen "came into the prayer hall and immediately killed the priest".

The witness, who declined to give his name, said the people in the church had huddled into the main prayer hall when the gunbattles began with the security forces.

The gunmen reportedly threw grenades and blew their suicide vests.

There were no negotiations with the gunmen before the security forces stormed the church, reports suggest.

Witnesses also say they saw US troops on the ground and US military helicopters hovering above the scene, but the extent of their involvement is not yet clear.

"The operation has finished and we released all the hostages," said the commander of police in south-eastern Baghdad, Brig-Gen Ali Ibrahim.

The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says there are different figures from different sources for the number of hostages and attackers involved, and how many of each were killed or captured.

Earlier reports said that two security guards at the stock exchange had been killed before the attackers occupied the church.

Many churches have been bombed in recent years - including Our Lady of Salvation in August 2004 - and priests kidnapped and killed, but there has never been a prolonged hostage situation like this before, our correspondent says.

There are about 1.5 million Christians from ancient denominations in Iraq.

Iraqi Christians have been leaving the country in droves since the US-led invasion in 2003.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Assyrian
• Syriac
• Syrian
• Catholic
• Church
• Islam
• Muslim
• Iraq
• Iraqi
• Terrorist
• Terrorists
• Christians
• Christian

[UighurKnight]

Iraqi Christians were welcoming George Bush's attack against Iraq. Ok, here is the democracy brought to you by Mr Bush. Now enjoy it rather than protesting it.

[assyriangabare]

@mizzn88 Khoon look. thats true iam assyrian first then christan because if i wasnt assyrian maybe i would be anthore religon.

[mizzn88]

@assyriangabare

I'm first of all CHRISTIAN (syrian orthodox) from iraq. you see why I hate to mention all these stuff? it's just easier to say CHRISTIAN, unlike the brother below who said "I'm first of all Assyrian"!! when jesus came to this earth he "Renew" us. so that only word "christian" will exist. Assyrians were not christians before christ. Do you understand what I mean? khona =)

[assyriangabare]

@mizzn88 will aramic or assyrian same thing. But i wana know what are you like what Nationality?....

[mizzn88]

@assyriangabare

you mean aramaic. I do speak aramaic and also write it =)

[assyriangabare]

@mizzn88 Brother dont think that way. if you are too christian now you shoud write in Assyrian becuase thats jesus language. and by the way assyrian is not a Religion. looks like you dont know whats the diffrent between Culture and Religion. and i will rais my flag where ever i want and Not only figh just kill my salf to get Our homeland.

[mizzn88]

@MebbIraq

"assyrian by blood, IRAQI by country" I guess you are forgeting the word "christian" here!!hm.. now who is the stupid one?

[mizzn88]

@assyriangabare

Oh and by the way I think there is no flag worth to be raisning but cross!!

[mizzn88]

@assyriangabare

now first of all why are using bad words? did jesus taught us to swear? and second, I do know what the differences are. but all I'm trying to say is ISN'T IT TIME TO RECONCILE. I really hate answering people with other religion wondering what the differences are between assyrians and syrians and all that shit. If you are too assyrians then why are you raising your flag far from your real homeland(iraq) go back there and fight getting back your babel!!!

//Pround CHRISTIAN

[assyriangabare]

@mizzn88 this kunt dosnt know whats the diffrent between christian and assyrian.