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In pictures: Isis destroys Iraq shrines In pictures: Exodus of Yazidis
(about 1 month later)
Images posted on social media appear to show the destruction of about a dozen places of worship across northern Iraq, in areas recently taken over by extremist militants. Thousands of people from the Yazidi religious community have sought refuge on the arid heights of Mount Sinjar, close to the Syrian border.
Some images showed the al-Qubba Husseiniya, a Shia shrine, being blown up in the city of Mosul. Some of the displaced Yazidis managed to escape across the Syrian border by foot, fleeing violence from the Islamic State militants who have taken over their home town of Sinjar.
Militants used a bulldozer to destroy a shrine known as the "Girl's Tomb" in Mosul. Who, What, Why: Who are the Yazidis?
They believe giving special veneration to graves and relics is against the teachings of Islam. Officials for the Kurdish regional government say some 20,000 to 30,000 managed to cross the Iraqi-Syrian border at the weekend.
Militants also destroyed the Saad bin Aqeel Husseiniya shrine in Tal Afar, approximately 50 km (35 miles) west of Mosul. Video: The Yazidi families fleeing for their lives
The militants, believed to belong to Isis (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), are also reported to have attacked churches in Mosul. The UK and US have carried out air drops of food and water supplies into Mount Sinjar to alleviate the suffering of the Yazidi refugees there.
More images showed the Ahmed al-Rifai shrine and tomb in the Mahlabiya district near Tal Afar being attacked with a bulldozer. Many fled their homes in a hurry and lack the food and water supplies to survive several days on the rocky mountain range in temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius.
The militants have attacked Shia and Sunni shrines alike, and have vowed to continue destroying places of worship which they do not approve of. The UN says over 50 Yazidi children have died of dehydration.
Those who left the mountain transited through Syria over the Tigris river and crossed back into Iraqi Kurdistan.
Some families were separated as they fled in panic from their homes, with many not knowing the fate of their loved ones left behind.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces were on hand to deliver bottles of water to thirsty arrivals at the Fishkhabur crossing in northern Iraq.
Trucks and vehicles jam packed full of Yazidis were seen inching across the Iraqi-Syrian border.