Religious Persecution Continues in Post-War Iraq

Last updated: 8 July 2026

Page 1 — Introduction and Context
Despite the territorial defeat of ISIS and the end of major war campaigns, Iraq’s religious minorities continue to face discrimination, persecution, and insecurity. Communities such as Christians, Yazidis, and Shabaks, once thriving in Iraq, remain vulnerable to violence and marginalisation.

The persistence of religious persecution highlights Iraq’s fragile recovery, where militias, extremist remnants, and systemic discrimination prevent meaningful reconciliation.

Page 2 — Historical and Political Background
Iraq’s religious landscape has long been diverse, with Christian, Yazidi, and Muslim communities coexisting for centuries. However, decades of dictatorship, wars, and sectarianism eroded trust among groups.

The 2003 invasion and the rise of sectarian militias deepened divisions. The emergence of ISIS in 2014 marked a catastrophic moment, particularly for Yazidis and Christians, who faced genocide, forced displacement, and destruction of their heritage.

Although ISIS was militarily defeated, religious persecution persists due to weak state institutions and unchecked militia influence.

Page 3 — Forms of Persecution
Religious minorities in Iraq experience persecution in many ways:

- Violence and intimidation: attacks on worshippers and community leaders.
- Displacement: families unable to return to ancestral homes due to militia control.
- Cultural destruction: churches, temples, and shrines destroyed or occupied.
- Discrimination: exclusion from political power and public services.
- Forced conversions: remnants of extremist ideology still threaten minority faiths.

These practices leave religious minorities struggling to survive in post-war Iraq.

Page 4 — Consequences for Citizens and Society
For individuals, persecution means trauma, displacement, and loss of cultural identity. Many minorities have chosen exile, creating diasporas across Europe, North America, and Australia. Families are separated, and communities shrink with each passing year.

For Iraqi society, the decline of minorities diminishes its historic pluralism and weakens national unity. Religious persecution undermines trust in government promises of reform and damages Iraq’s reputation internationally.

Page 5 — Solutions and Conclusion
Ending religious persecution in Iraq requires robust reforms and protections.

Key steps include:
- Accountability: prosecute crimes against religious minorities, including genocide.
- Security guarantees: protect minority communities from militias and extremist remnants.
- Reconstruction aid: rebuild destroyed towns, temples, and churches.
- Political inclusion: ensure representation of minorities in governance.
- International support: expand assistance to displaced families and diaspora communities.

Until such reforms are implemented, religious persecution will persist in post-war Iraq, threatening the survival of its diverse faith traditions.