IRAQ COUNTRY PROFILE
In 2026, the situation for Iraq’s Christians is mixed depending on where they reside in the country. Christians in the semi- autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) reported lower instances of discrimination and violence. It is estimated that 90 percent of Iraq’s Christians now live in the KRI following Daesh (ISIS)'s invasion of the Nineveh plains in 2014. In February 2026, ACN saw firsthand the steps taken by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to promote coexistence and protect Christians’ rights, including tackling hate speech and Islamist extremism. However, across Iraq Christians continue to face discrimination, harassment, and intimidation, as well as poor behavior from militia groups including the Popular Mobilization Force, a legalized group of militias with links to Iran. 97 Militia activity continued to be a significant source of concern with Christians reporting harassment and intimidation at checkpoints. 98 Iraq’s Christian population continued to decline during the reporting period, with migration due to the lack of economic opportunity and insecurity being cited as the most common reasons. 99 The late Chaldean Bishop Paul Thabit Mekko of Alqosh said ten years after the Islamic State occupation, fewer than 50 Christian families had returned to Mosul, once home to at least 1,200 Christian families. 100 Nationally, the estimated Christian population is between 150,000 and 250,000, or 0.3 percent of the population, compared with 0.46 percent of the population in the last reporting period. 101 Christian leaders are concerned numbers could fall further because of the impact of the US-Iran War. 102 Indeed, the district of Ankawa in Erbil has suffered damage, including some church buildings following Iranian missile attacks on western military installations near Erbil airport. 103 Iraqi law does not provide for conversion from Islam to another religion. This means that converts must register their children as Muslim to obtain documentation for them, which is essential to access public services including school. 104 Converts are also unable to register under their new religion when applying for or renewing their ID cards.
SELECTED INCIDENTS
AUGUST 2024 The UNITAD report on crimes committed by Daesh (ISIS), delivered to the Supreme Judicial Council on Monday, August 26, concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that international crimes were committed against members of the Christian community in or around Mosul and the Nineveh Plains between 2014 and 2017. 105 APRIL 2025 An assailant yelled Islamic slogans while waging an ax attack that wounded three Christians taking part in an Assyrian New Year parade in Duhok. 106
FEBRUARY 2026 Bishop Felix of Zakho, Apostolic Administrator of Al Qosh, said at least 100 Christian families left Alqosh in 2025 due to economic pressure, with around 100 more planning to leave in 2026. 107 MAY 2026 An Iraqi court ruled in favor of a young Christian woman, Maryam,* allowing her to have her official religious status corrected in the government’s database after she was automatically registered as Muslim under Iraqi law. 108 *Not real name .
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