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Iraq Christians flee as Islamic State takes Qaraqosh Iraq Christians flee as Islamic State takes Qaraqosh
(35 minutes later)
Up to a quarter of Iraq's Christians are reported to be fleeing after Islamic militants seized the minority's biggest town.Up to a quarter of Iraq's Christians are reported to be fleeing after Islamic militants seized the minority's biggest town.
The Islamic State (IS) group captured Qaraqosh in Nineveh province overnight after the withdrawal of Kurdish forces.The Islamic State (IS) group captured Qaraqosh in Nineveh province overnight after the withdrawal of Kurdish forces.
IS controls parts of Iraq and Syria and says it has created an Islamic state.IS controls parts of Iraq and Syria and says it has created an Islamic state.
Meanwhile the UN says some of the Yazidi community, another religious minority in the area targeted by IS, have been rescued. Meanwhile the US is considering air strikes or air drops to help the Yazidi community, another minority targeted by IS, the New York Times says.
About 50,000 Yazidis are thought to have been trapped in the mountains after fleeing the town of Sinjar. About 50,000 Yazidis are thought to have been trapped in the mountains after fleeing the town of Sinjar - although the UN says some of them have now been rescued.
Nineveh, located 400km (250 miles) north-west of Baghdad, is home to a large number of religious minorities. Tens of thousands of religious minorities have been forced to flee since IS, a Sunni Muslim group formerly known as Isis, launched their onslaught on northern Iraq in June.
Tens of thousands have been forced to flee since IS, a Sunni Muslim group formerly known as Isis, launched their onslaught on northern Iraq in June.
In other developments:In other developments:
Plea for helpPlea for help
A majority of Nineveh inhabitants left their homes overnight, according to Fraternite en Irak, an international Christian organisation based in Paris.A majority of Nineveh inhabitants left their homes overnight, according to Fraternite en Irak, an international Christian organisation based in Paris.
As many as 100,000 people are believed to be fleeing toward the autonomous Kurdistan Region.As many as 100,000 people are believed to be fleeing toward the autonomous Kurdistan Region.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has called for the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting over the situation.French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has called for the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting over the situation.
Pope Francis has made an impassioned appeal to the international community to do much more to address the crisis.Pope Francis has made an impassioned appeal to the international community to do much more to address the crisis.
A Vatican statement said the Pope had appealed for "all necessary help" to be given to those forced to flee their homes, "whose fate depends entirely on the solidarity of others".A Vatican statement said the Pope had appealed for "all necessary help" to be given to those forced to flee their homes, "whose fate depends entirely on the solidarity of others".
And Minority Rights Group International has warned that Iraq's multi-ethnic future is now at grave risk.And Minority Rights Group International has warned that Iraq's multi-ethnic future is now at grave risk.
Christian 'catastrophe'Christian 'catastrophe'
Kurdish forces, known as the Peshmerga, have been fighting the IS militants' advance for weeks.Kurdish forces, known as the Peshmerga, have been fighting the IS militants' advance for weeks.
The Peshmerga's commander in Qaraqosh reportedly told the town's archbishop late on Wednesday that the forces were abandoning their posts.The Peshmerga's commander in Qaraqosh reportedly told the town's archbishop late on Wednesday that the forces were abandoning their posts.
Several senior clergymen in Nineveh confirmed the town had fallen.Several senior clergymen in Nineveh confirmed the town had fallen.
"It's a catastrophe, a tragic situation: tens of thousands of terrified people are being displaced as we speak," said Joseph Thomas, the Chaldean archbishop of the northern city of Kirkuk."It's a catastrophe, a tragic situation: tens of thousands of terrified people are being displaced as we speak," said Joseph Thomas, the Chaldean archbishop of the northern city of Kirkuk.
Eyewitnesses in Qaraqosh said IS militants were taking down crosses in churches and burning religious manuscripts.Eyewitnesses in Qaraqosh said IS militants were taking down crosses in churches and burning religious manuscripts.
The town - referred to as Iraq's Christian capital - is located 30km (19 miles) south-east of the city of Mosul, which was captured by IS in June.The town - referred to as Iraq's Christian capital - is located 30km (19 miles) south-east of the city of Mosul, which was captured by IS in June.
Last month, hundreds of Christian families fled Mosul after the Islamist rebels gave them an ultimatum to convert to Islam, pay a special tax or be executed.Last month, hundreds of Christian families fled Mosul after the Islamist rebels gave them an ultimatum to convert to Islam, pay a special tax or be executed.
Iraq is home to one of the world's most ancient Christian communities, but numbers have dwindled amid growing sectarian violence since the US-led invasion in 2003.Iraq is home to one of the world's most ancient Christian communities, but numbers have dwindled amid growing sectarian violence since the US-led invasion in 2003.
Iraq's minoritiesIraq's minorities
ChristiansChristians
YazidisYazidis
Iraq: The minorities of NinevehIraq: The minorities of Nineveh
Yazidi eyewitness: 'They want to slaughter us'Yazidi eyewitness: 'They want to slaughter us'
Plight of the YazidisPlight of the Yazidis
Meanwhile, the UN said it was mobilising resources to assist Yazidis rescued from Mount Sinjar over the past 24 hours.Meanwhile, the UN said it was mobilising resources to assist Yazidis rescued from Mount Sinjar over the past 24 hours.
Members of the ancient Kurdish ethno-religious community sought refuge there at the weekend.Members of the ancient Kurdish ethno-religious community sought refuge there at the weekend.
Almost 200,000 civilians have been displaced from Sinjar town, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned.Almost 200,000 civilians have been displaced from Sinjar town, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned.
Those trapped on the mountain are facing dehydration, and 40 children are reported to have died already.Those trapped on the mountain are facing dehydration, and 40 children are reported to have died already.
"This is a tragedy of immense proportions, impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people," said UN spokesman David Swanson."This is a tragedy of immense proportions, impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people," said UN spokesman David Swanson.
"Many of the displaced are in immediate need of essential life-saving humanitarian items, including water, food, shelter and medicine.""Many of the displaced are in immediate need of essential life-saving humanitarian items, including water, food, shelter and medicine."
Are you in the area? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding "Iraq" in the subject heading and include your contact details.Are you in the area? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding "Iraq" in the subject heading and include your contact details.