A group of armed men burst into the home of Youssif Isho, in central Baghdad, stabbing him to death. The group’s modus operandi suggests the murder was a “targeted killing” against Christians. The Christian community expect more violence. Street demonstrations are scheduled for tomorrow in Iraq’s main cities.

Baghdad (AsiaNews) – Iraq’s Christian community has been attacked again. A group of armed men stormed the home of a Christian man in Baghdad’s central neighbourhood of Karrad, killing him. The victim’s name is Youssif Isho, a 70-year-old Chaldean. He was stabbed to death. Sources have warned AsiaNews that other attacks against Christians are possible in the capital. “The faithful continue to suffer,” a Christian leader said, “and people are scared, moving cautiously out of fear of more violence.”

According to information obtained by AsiaNews, Youssif Isho’s death was a targeted killing by extremist groups. The group burst into his home and stabbed 70-year-old man to death. He lived alone in a house in Karrad, central Baghdad. Nothing was stolen from the premises.

Iraqi Christians fear more violence tomorrow, Friday, when demonstrations are scheduled to take place in the country’s main cities.

In the northern city of Kirkuk, Sunni Arabs are planning a demonstration. In the south, Shia groups will be doing to do the same.

The capital should be the scene of rallies linked to broader events in the Middle eastern region.

A source, anonymous for security reasons, spoke to AsiaNews about “a volcano that has exploded and that has no end in sight.”

“People are scared,” the Christian leader said, “because extremist groups could infiltrate [demonstrations] and cause havoc”. Many fear more “looting, destruction and even targeted killings.”

The Christian community “has been suffering for some time,” the source said. Christians continue to “move cautiously out of fear of new attacks.” (DS)

• iraq
• targeted
• killings
• extremist
• chaldean
• christian
• youssif
• isho