A source in the Iraqi Ministry of Interior said that an eldery Iraqi Christian man and his wife were killed in East Baghdad last Saturday.

There has been a rise in deadly attacks against Christians in Iraq throughout the past few weeks, leading many of them to flea to other countries. On October 31, a number of armed men attacked the Sayyidat al-Najāh Church, killing 44 worshippers, 2 priests, and 7 security guards. Also, 6 Christians have been killed and 33 injured in a chain of attacks this month.

Al-Qā‘idah announced its responsibility for the events, claiming that Christians are a legitimate target.

Since 2004, around 52 churches have been bombed, 900 Christians killed, and hundreds of others kidnapped in Iraq.