U.S. Calls on Iraq to ‘Redouble’ Efforts to Protect Christians

The U.S. condemned attacks yesterday against Christians in Iraq, calling on the Iraqi government to redouble its efforts to protect the religious minority.

Bombs and rockets hit at least four homes of Christians in Baghdad last night, killing at least two people and injuring 13 others, according to the Associated Press. The violence followed a deadly Oct. 31 siege at Our Lady of Salvation Church in the Iraqi capital, and a declaration by al-Qaeda that it was waging war upon the minority group.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner called on the government of President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to swiftly “apprehend the terrorists behind these acts.”

Toner commended Iraqi authorities for increasing security measures to protect minority Christian communities since the October suicide attack, which killed more than 60 worshippers in the Baghdad church. He urged the government to “redouble its efforts to protect Christians.”