There have been many attacks on Christians in Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003. At that time there were estimated to be around one million Christians from several ancient denominations…Their numbers are believed to have dwindled now to 600,000 or less.

At least 52 people were killed as security forces stormed a Catholic church in Baghdad to free dozens of hostages, said Deputy Interior Minister Maj Gen Hussein Kamal.

He suggested six attackers had also died in the fighting, though other sources have said the overall death toll was lower.

The gunmen had reportedly demanded the release of jailed al-Qaeda militants.
A statement was posted on a militant website allegedly run by the Islamic State of Iraq, a Sunni militant umbrella group to which al-Qaeda in Iraq belongs, claiming responsibility for the attack.

The statement reportedly said Iraqi Christians would be “exterminated” if Muslim women in Egypt were not freed. It specifically mentioned two women in Egypt who radicals believe are being held against their will after converting to Islam.

Residents of Baghdad’s affluent Karada district, where the attack took place, first heard a loud explosion at about 1700 (1400 GMT) on Sunday, believed to have been a car bomb going off at the scene.

It was followed by gunfire as a group of armed men began by attacking the Iraq Stock Exchange building, police said, and then took over the Catholic church just across the road, clashing with guards and killing some of them.

There have been many attacks on Christians in Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003. At that time there were estimated to be around one million Christians from several ancient denominations – mainly Assyrian Nestorians, Chaldaeans and Syriacs.

Their numbers are believed to have dwindled now to 600,000 or less.

Read More (including video and pictures): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11463544