Christians Reclaim Iraqi Town From Islamic State
The Christian minority in Iraq has successfully reclaimed the village of Bakufa from the Islamic State terrorist group.
Over a month ago, Islamic State militants stormed the small, predominately Christian village and raised their ominous black flag, causing many residents to flee the town in northern Iraq for protection.
Several of the villagers was forced to flee to safer nearby towns when the Islamic State invaded, but Kurdish peshmerga fighters were able to successfully drive the jihadist group from the village after about a month of fighting. Now Kurdish forces have lured villagers back to their hometown, and set up a 24-hour watch group meant to ensure safety for the 95-home village.
One member of the village, Caesar Jacob, who also serves as a deputy of the local Christian militia, told the Associated Press that the local fighters would have been helpless without the aid of the peshmerga.
"We found ourselves helpless," Jacob said, adding "We must depend on ourselves to defend our land for now and the future."
Although for now Bakufa has defeated the Islamic State, there are other villages in Iraq where residents feel powerless against the militant Islamic group.
A recent report from The Washington Times indicates that the Islamic State is reportedly selling kidnapped Christian women for the price of $63 each. The prices reportedly vary depending on age and ethnic background, and gender.
The document obtained by The Washington Times also states that any member of the Islamic State group who does not abide by the strict pricing list will be put to death.
