Town liberated from ISIS celebrates first Christmas in two years

The ancient Iraqi town of Bartella celebrated Christmas for the first time after two years of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) rule last Saturday, but the people were devastated over the desecration of their church and destruction of their town.

Hundreds of Christians rode buses and made their way back to Bartella, which was regained by the Iraqi forces in October, following U.S. coalition's offensive in the area. These people had abandoned their homes in Bartella, a predominantly Christian town, after the Islamic State seized control of the Nineveh Plains.

A mass at Saint Shmony Church was celebrated on Saturday, with dozens of Iraqi and U.S. security forces securing the area amid ISIS threatening to attack in Bartella.

Volunteers had cleaned up at the church a few days prior to the mass, but traces of ISIS' reign are still very much visible. These are seen in the vandalized walls, bullet holes, and broken glass. A statue was also dilapidated of its head and hands.

Returning residents have mixed emotions. The town, which is only 21 kilometers away from Mosul, the largest Iraqi city being controlled by ISIS, is still too dangerous for them to live in, especially at night. They would have to return to Irbil, the town where they fled to two years ago.

ISIS terror left the town in ruins, and rehabilitation may take some time. Homes were looted and destroyed. A plastic Christmas tree in the town center offers hope that days ahead will be better.

"They tried to remove us here but we refused," said Father Sahar Qurkios, a Priest from the nearby St Mary's church, as reported by Independent. Referring to the mass being an act of defiance, he added, "It is a challenge to the ones who thought we would leave and never come back."