Dozens of Christians in northern Iraq have hesitantly returned to church for the first time in over two years after their town was freed from Isis. Quraqosh, to the south of the Isis stronghold of Mosul, was recaptured from the jihadis last week as Iraqi coalition forces continue their two-week-old assault to drive Isis from the city. (The Independent)

“Today Qaraqosh is free of Daesh (Islamic State),” Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Butrus Moshe told worshippers. “Our role today is to remove all the remnants of Daesh,” the archbishop said. “This includes erasing sedition, separation and conflicts, which victimized us,” said the archbishop, who was born in Qaraqosh. (Reuters)

Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State in Qaraqosh, near Mosul, Iraq, October 30, 2016. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah