Christian bloodshed in Mosul, husband and wife killed
(December 15, 2011) The Christian community in Mosul has been the victim of another
targeted murder. The city in northern Iraq has seen a long series of bloody attacks
against minority Christians. A local source, anonymous for security reasons, told
AsiaNews that Tuesday night “a Christian man and his wife were gunned down” but their
two children who were with them survived. A few days ago, Muslim extremist groups,
egged on by a local imam, attacked Christian shops in Zakho, Iraqi Kurdistan. In the
first week of December dozens of shops were torched and at least 30 people wounded
in Dohok. In Tuesday’s ambush, 34 year old Adnan Elia Jakmakji, and his 25 year old
wife Raghad al Tawil were killed in their car in the 17 July neighbourhood, east of
the city. Their two children were with them. The two died instantly whilst the children
were wounded. The latter’s life is not in danger. According to early reports, the
armed group ambushed the family, firing many bullets at the car. The attackers then
fled the scene, undisturbed, without leaving any traces. The family owns a small shop
but it is unclear whether the murder was linked somehow to their business. Funerals
were held Wednesday night in the Immaculate Chaldean Church in Mosul. “Right now,
security is getting worse,” the source said, “and Christians are concerned in view
of the upcoming Christmas celebrations.” The US pullout, to be completed by the end
of the year, could cause further instability and violence.