Over 4,000 Iraqi Christians displaced following recent unrest, UN reports

The United Nations humanitarian arm reported today that 4,320 Iraqi Christians have been displaced following recent unrest in the northern city of Mosul.

The latest figure, as of yesterday, represents an increase of about 200 people since Saturday, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which added that the influx of displaced Christian families from Mosul city to nearby districts in the Ninewa governorate has slowed down over the past few days.

OCHA noted that there are protection concerns for the Christian families remaining in Mosul, including unconfirmed reports that they are confined to their homes out of fear for their safety.

In addition, Christian university students are reportedly not attending classes and workers are not attending their places of work.

In October 2008, more than 12,000 Christians fled Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, following an upsurge in attacks, threats and intimidation, with some returning later after hearing that the security situation had improved.

Deadly attacks against Christians in the city occurred again in December 2009.