Assyrian leader thanks KRG for protecting, hosting displaced people

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East on Saturday thanked the government and people of the Kurdistan Region for protecting displaced people.

The Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Gewargis III and his accompanying delegation in Erbil.

According to a statement by the Kurdistan Region Presidency website, Gewargis III expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the efforts made by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and people of Kurdistan for hosting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Gewargis III also thanked the KRG for providing basic services and shelter and protecting the lives of the IDPs from Nineveh Plain currently staying in the Kurdistan Region.

Moreover, the Patriarch stated all these efforts were a strong motive for Christians to return to their areas with positive hope.

Gewargis III extended thanks to President Barzani for his efforts to protect the components and liberation of the Christian-populated Nineveh Plain, the statement added.

Additionally, President Barzani expressed the importance of rebuilding the liberated areas, so people were able to return to their homes.

He added the rebuilding process required serious efforts by the international community, the KRP statement read.

In June 2014, the Islamic State (IS) emerged in Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq.

The group controlled large swaths of territory in the north of the country, including Christian-populated areas that led to the displacement of about 200,000 people.

The delegation also praised the role of Peshmerga forces in defeating IS extremists and congratulated them for their recent victories, the statement concluded.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany