Barzani invited Iraqi Christians to Kurdistan

masoud-barzaniHEWLER, — Southern Kurdistan — After a wave of fatal attacks on Iraqi’s Christians, the President of Kurdistan Federal Region invited Iraqi Christians to the region, report said on Thursday.

Barzani said that they are very sorry for the crimes against Christians. “I want to let them know that the Kurdistan Region is open to them. If they want to come, we will protect them and provide them with all services,” he said.

In the past, the regional government has opened its doors to other persecuted minorities in Iraq.

Barzani’s comments came after the U.N. Security Council expressed concerns Wednesday about the continuing attacks on Christian and other religious groups in Iraq.

At least 3 people were killed and 25 wounded Wednesday morning, an Iraqi interior ministry official said.

A group called the Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for the gruesome October 31 siege of the Sayidat al-Nejat cathedral that left 70 people dead and 75 wounded. The umbrella group includes a number of Sunni extremist organizations and has ties to al Qaeda in Iraq.

35 Christian survivors of the attack arrived in France this week, where they will be able to seek asylum.