Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mosul (Agenzia Fides) - According to local sources consulted by Agenzia Fides, on Monday, November 24 jihadi militants of the Islamic State, who control the city of Mosul, used explosives to severely damage the convent of the Chaldean Sisters of the Sacred Heart, previously occupied by them and used as accommodation and logistics base.
The media linked to the Chaldean community report that the explosion took place in two phases. The first attempt was unsuccessful, but then the jihadists used more powerful explosives, causing massive damage to the convent, with the intent to eliminate the cross that stands on the place of worship. Before implementing their devastating work, the militia of the Islamic State warned the inhabitants of the area.
Local sources hypothesize that the monastery was abandoned because considered imminent target of air raids by the US-led anti-Caliphate coalition. At the moment it seems that the adjacent monastery of St. George, belonging to the order of St. Anthony Sant'Ormisda of the Chaldeans has not been damaged.
The convent of the Chaldean sisters of the Sacred Heart, known as the convent of Victory was built thanks to a donation of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi President executed on December 30, 2006. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 25/11/2014)
