InfoAnda - Iraqi Christians caught in middle of Mosul vote

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Google plays catch-up with Apple in tablets | 3 February 2011
The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes | 27 May 2009
Car bomb destroys police station in Pakistan, 6 dead | | 26 May 2011

U.S. Announces $2 Billion Military Aid To Pakistan Tied To Tax Reforms | 23 October 2010

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Iraqi Christians caught in middle of Mosul vote

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Iraqi Christians caught in middle of Mosul vote By KIM GAMEL,Associated Press Writer AP - Sunday, February 1 MOSUL, Iraq - Iraqi Christians still reeling from a string of murders last fall find themselves caught in the middle of a power struggle between Kurds and Sunni Arabs that was fueled by this weekend's elections. ADVERTISEMENT The minority community has faced years of violence and intimidation from al-Qaida in Iraq and other Islamic extremists. In the northern city of Mosul and surrounding areas, many also fear the Kurds want incorporate parts of the area into their semiautonomous region in northern Iraq. The issue came to the fore in Saturday's vote for members of ruling councils in most of Iraq's 18 provinces. Results are not expected for days or even weeks. But when the votes are finally counted, Kurds are expected to lose the dominance they have enjoyed here in Ninevah province since Sunni Arabs boycotted the last provincial election in 2005. Christians will get at least one out of 37 council seats in the province, thanks to a minority quota. But many Christians are divided about whether to back the Kurds or the Sunni Arabs in their struggle for domination in Ninevah and its capital city of Mosul. The U.S. military believes continued Kurdish-Arab tension in the north poses one of the strongest challenges to ensuring long-lasting peace in Iraq now that Shiite-Sunni violence has ebbed. Fewer than 3 percent of Iraq's 26 million people are Christians, many concentrated in Ninevah province. Raad Shaya, a 30-year-old Christian teacher who lives in the outlying town of Batnaya, said Christians face intimidation from both sides. Islamic extremists recently threatened him and several Christian colleagues by placing a warning inside the minibus they used to commute to work. "The Kurds are controlling the Christians right now," he said, lowering his voice after casting his ballot on Saturday. "There's also the threat from outside Islamic political parties." "We're not targeted because we're Christian but because we're a minority in the middle of everything," he added. Fears spiked in the fall with a string of murders of Christians in Mosul, driving thousands of Christian families to leave their homes for the safety of Christian villages around the city. Most have drifted back but are still afraid. "It's better at this point but we paid a high price for it," said Bassem Bello, the Christian mayor of Tel Kaif, a mixed Sunni Arab-Christian town near Mosul. "We're working very hard to make sure it doesn't happen again." He declined to say who was behind the attacks, which claimed up to 16 lives by some counts. But he said the outgoing provincial council had failed to protect its people. "Whenever something like this happens we lose families. They go abroad. This is the agenda. They want the original people of this country to leave," he said. "They have certain aspirations to take over what the Christians have in their areas. Also there are extremist Islamic groups." The Kurds already have moved to stake their claim on the nearby hilly area known as the Ninevah Plains by establishing checkpoints manned by well-trained Kurdish security forces known as peshmerga. The sunshine flag of the semiautonomous Kurdish region to the north also flies on the top of several buildings in the villages and towns that comprise the areas, including some of the schools that were used as polling stations on Saturday. A U.S. official said Christians need the peshmerga for protection but most have stayed on the fence because they're afraid of choosing the losing side. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. Although the Kurds are expected to lose seats, they are hoping for a strong showing as a measure of support for their claims to disputed areas of Ninevah. The Kurds also are seeking to incorporate the oil-rich city of Kirkuk in another province into their semiautonomous area, but the vote for a council there was delayed until later this year. Christians have frequently been targeted since turmoil swept the country after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, although the attacks have ebbed with a sharp drop in overall violence. Churches, priests and businesses of the generally prosperous, well-educated community have been attacked by militants who denounce Christians as pro-American "crusaders." The body of Paulos Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Mosul, also was found in March following his abduction by gunmen after a Mass. Suvara Shamsun Haroun, a 25-year-old Christian woman who voted Saturday in Tel Kaif, pointed out that insurgents target all Iraqis "but sometimes they try to drive a wedge between the Arabs and the Christians." Her mother Wirgania Shamwell expressed hope the Christian candidate chosen would help improve the situation. "Hopefully the elections will bring security and a better future for Iraq and that's all we can hope for," she said. "Security is the main thing." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: World Russian Orthodox Church to enthrone new patriarchAFP - 33 minutes ago Ky. struggles with outages in ice storm aftermathAP - 41 minutes ago Afghan artists learn from Italian masterAFP - 1 hour 5 minutes ago Looking for a new approach to Afghan developmentAFP - 1 hour 14 minutes ago Scientist see holes in glacier at Alaska volcanoAP - 1 hour 26 minutes ago Most Popular – World Viewed Turkish PM defends Gaza outburst Octuplets' mother already had six children: report Soldier suicides hit record in 2008: US Army Exxon notches 45.22 billion dlrs record profit World Social Forum tells Davos to fix crisis -- or else View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Sunday, 1 February 2009
Russia arrests dozens at anti-Putin protests
Chinese premier joins New Year party in Britain
Thousands march to Gov't House in fresh Thai protests
Afghans threaten US troops over civilian deaths
Indian Maoists offer ceasefire: report
Woman diagnosed with bird flu in China: report
Japan pledges $17 billion Asia aid package
US-funded program to arm Afghan groups begins
The Economist withheld for 2nd week in Thailand
Thousands of Thai police deploy ahead of protest
6 killed in Indonesian landslide
Google 'error' labels websites as harmful
Venezuelan synagogue attacked as relations worsen
Death toll from Kenya oil blaze rises to 111 | International |
Iraqi Christians caught in middle of Mosul vote
Sri Lanka to resume offensive after truce lapses | International |
Suicide bomber hits foreign forces in Kabul: police | International |
Obama to unveil measures to free up credit
Netanyahu says Iran will not get hands on nukes
Japan on heightened alert for Mount Asama eruption | International |
World Social Forum tells Davos to fix crisis -- or else
Iran marks 30th anniversary of revolution
African Union warns Madagascar opposition leader | International |
US says 2 Iraqi police killed in shooting
Obama seems unlikely to widen war in Afghanistan
Gazan rockets hit Israel, no damage: police | International |
Gaza rocket hits Israel ahead of truce talks
Police destroy large bomb in Northern Ireland | International |
Snow, fog, rain likely to cause China travel chaos | International |
Obama has begun discreet talks with Iran, Syria
Obama praises Iraqis on provincial elections
FBI Severs Ties With Prominent Muslim Charity Group
Obama facing dilemma over protectionism
Three-Year-Old Killed In New Jersey; Pickup Collided With Fire Engine
Small Plane Crash In West Virginia Kills All Six People On Board
Obama brother arrested over cannabis possession
Estonian tourist trade turns to IT to fight recession
Troops In Iraq Allowed Two Beers For Super Bowl
Obama's Half Brother Busted For Pot Possession In Kenya
Assad calls for 'positive' dialogue with US
HHS Nominee Daschle Had Tax Issues; Failed To Pay Before Nomination
Fire kills 23 in Russian retirement home: official
British PM slams strikers in EU workers row
136-kg car bomb found by N. Ireland school
Swiss police clash with anti-Davos protesters, arrest 60
Destructive wildfires tamed as Australian heatwave eases: officials
NKorea's Kim hails 'invincible' army as tensions mount
Crisis summit signals era of big government
Acclaim in Vienna for Neumeier's "Death in Venice"
Indian arrested with drugs in soap in Malaysia
India to meet 7.0 pct growth this year: politicians
Lachey defends ex-wife's apparent weight gain
Farmer in central China sick with bird flu
Pakistan keeps discount rate at 15 pct as economy slows
China birthday party blaze kills 15 in bar: media
Super Bowl ads reflect tough times in US
Pakistani cenbank sells 16.5 bln rupees of T-bills
Blaze caused by fireworks kills 15 in China: state media
Foreign stars light up French comics fest
15 dead, 22 injured in bar fire in southern China
At 100, Billy Graham singer's voice still booming
15 dead, 17 injured in bar fire in southern China
Black photographers' work featured at Smithsonian
Sri Lanka deadline for civilian safe passage ends
Danny Boyle's `Slumdog Millionaire' wins DGA honor
Tom Cruise in Brazil to promote movie
Super Bowl ads promise glitz, guffaws, groans
Audiences heart 'Paul Blart'
Israel vows disproportionate response to rockets | International |
Israel threatens response to new militant rockets
North Korea says two Koreas on path toward war | International |
Strong turnout in landmark Iraq elections
Zimbabwe to pass unity government law on Wednesday: media | International |
Government allies see gains in Iraqi elections
Europe struggles for unity in face of recession
Indian plane makes emergency landing after threat | International |
Israel vows "disproportionate" response to rockets
'Superman' Brown falls to earth as recession hits Britain
Iranian police kill 10 drug smugglers
One year on, France's first couple settles in
Israel vows 'disproportionate' response to Gaza rockets
After Davos row, Livni urges Turkey to respect Israel
Three Afghan civilians killed in military action: NATO
Afghan artists learn from Italian master
Kentucky Governor Activates All National Guard Troops; Aid In Ice Storm
Iraq holds peaceful election, Obama, U.N. applaud | International |
US soldier dies in northern Iraq
New Somali president sees positive U.S. role | International |
Iceland eyes new government | International |
Muslim cult boss held for blasphemy: Jakarta police | International |
Russian Orthodox Church to enthrone new patriarch
North Korea warns of possible war with South Korea
Clashes in Pakistan's Swat Valley kill 17
UN envoy meets Suu Kyi liaison: Myanmar govt
Danny Boyle wins top director award for Slumdog | Entertainment |
S.Korea suffers record export fall as downturn bites
Thai govt rejects protesters' calls to quit
Danny Boyle wins top director award for "Slumdog"
Asian airlines trim down for expected hard landing
3 million join mass prayer in Bangladesh
Danny Boyle's `Slumdog Millionaire' wins DGA honor
Police: Grenade attack kills 1 in Pakistan
Japan's listed firms hit by 71 pct profit slump: survey
French police take on Lebanese drivers
Global crisis hits China's huge Yiwu market, but optimism remains
Grenade at Thai temple fair kills 8, wounds 27
Queen of burlesque Von Teese on fashion, fetishes and France
Rising bond market tensions bode ill for Obama
Thai PM rejects protesters' call for election
Japan warns of eruptions at volcano
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01