AP confirms with satellite imagery that St. Elijah’s Monastery, built 590 CE, was ‘pulverized’ by jihadists in Mosul.

St. Elijah’s was built in 590 CE; back in 1743 CE, around 150 monks refused to convert to Islam and were massacred by a Persian general at the site.

The site was damaged in 2003 when a tank turret that was blown off in the middle of nearby fighting smashed a wall, and Iraqi troops dumped garbage in the monastery. Then the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division took over the site, but defaced ancient murals by painting their logo on the walls.

Afterwards a US military chaplain recognized the importance of the site, and he started an initiative to preserve it – but then ISIS took over the region.

Catholic priest Reverend Paul Thabit Habib, currently living in exile in Erbil, Iraq, reacted with shock to the photos.

“Our Christian history in Mosul is being barbarically leveled,” he said. “We see it as an attempt to expel us from Iraq, eliminating and finishing our existence in this land.”

Related articles:
MAPS OF ASSYRIAN VILLAGES IN NORTHERN IRAQ
http://aina.org/maps/1961villages.htm

MAPS OF ASSYRIAN VILLAGES IN SYRIA
http://www.aina.org/maps/khaburmap.htm

Timeline of ISIS in Iraq
http://www.aina.org/news/20140729115702.htm

Attacks on Assyrians in Syria By ISIS and Other Muslim Groups
http://www.aina.org/releases/20150226225711.htm

Iraq: http://www.aina.org/news/20080107163014.htm

Syria: http://www.aina.org/news/20151212211531.htm

Genocide in Iraq: http://www.aina.org/reports/ig.pdf

NEC-SE related articles:

http://nec-se.webbar312.net/2016/01/11/assyrian-army-chief-honors-u-s-fallen-in-iraq-at-arlington-national-cemetery-2/

http://nec-se.webbar312.net/2015/11/05/why-middle-east-peacemakers-do-not-live-in-peace/

http://nec-se.webbar312.net/2015/06/09/assyrians-the-brave-and-honorable-guardians-of-civility-in-the-middle-east/