In his annual Christmas and New Year message, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani reassured the Christian community in Iraq that the KRG would continue to provide protection and shelter to them and other communities fleeing the barbaric and terrorist group ISIS.

“I would like to emphasize that the Christian community is a key component of this country and I understand their pains and suffering. I reassure them that there is no place for terrorism, violence and barbarity; we have all been witnessing how the brave peshmerga have inflicted heavy defeats on ISIS terrorists and have liberated most areas under their control,” said the President in his message.

The President also urged the Christians to stay in the country. “Christian areas still under ISIS control will also be liberated. We hope that the Christians IDPs will soon return to their homes. I urge Christians against emigration. We must live together and enrich our tradition of peaceful co-existence and tolerance.”