ISIS cuts off water and electricity, destroys churches in Tikrit and Mosul

By Jeremy Reynalds  

The Assyrian International News Agency (AINA) is reporting that its sources in Tikrit and Mosul say ISIS has cut off water and electricity to some parts of the cities. AINA says the villages surrounding Mosul have also lost their water service, which was provided by the water purification plant in Mosul.

In the Assyrian villages of Bartella and Qaraqosh, residents are now buying water at 7,000 Iraqi Dinars per cubic meter ($6.25). Village leaders are calling for relief, as the residents cannot afford to purchase water at these prices.

The Arabic language website Alghadeer is reporting that ISIS has destroyed all churches in Mosul. AINA has not independently confirmed this.

AINA said that in Tikrit Internet service is sporadic; less than one hour per day, and limited to email and Google. There is no presence of the Iraqi government.

In the Assyrian city of Dohuk there is fear among the residents and anxiety about the “political map” as one resident put it. The Assyrians of Dohuk do not want to live under ISIS rule.

According to an Assyrian living in Baghdad, AINA said, Baghdad is calm at the moment. ISIS is fighting 40 miles north of the city, not closer as repo ted by media sources. The city’s population, which is 90 percent Shiite, is armed and ready to fight ISIS.

The source said it is unlikely that ISIS would attack Baghdad, as they are greatly outnumbered, but there are many ISIS sleeper cells in Baghdad which may strike and cause havoc.

Please pray for the Christians in Iraq, as well as the government of Iraq and the salvation of the insurgents. –ASSIST News