First Christmas celebration for Iraqis after IS pushback

A few hundred Iraqi Christians flocked on Saturday to Bartella, a nor­thern town recently retaken from Islamic State, to celebrate Christmas for the first time since 2013

Iraqi Christians at a church in Mosul, on Saturday. Pic/AFP

Bartella: A few hundred Iraqi Christians flocked on Saturday to Bartella, a nor­thern town recently retaken from Islamic State, to celebrate Christmas for the first time since 2013.

"We are sad to see what has been done to our holiest places by our own countrymen, but at the same time we are happy to celebrate the first mass in two years."

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!