Lorraine Caballero
Members of an Assyrian Christian militia claim they have retaken an Iraqi village once held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) after the United States-led international coalition lent them airstrike support for the first time.
In a Facebook post, the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU) revealed that they have liberated the village of Badana on Thursday. The Iraqi village, which is located southeast of Mosul, was freed from the clasps of ISIS with the help of airstrikes and weapons support provided by the US-led coalition, Vocativ relays.
The images and videos that NPU posted online show the Christian fighters entering Badana, which appears to be abandoned despite the ISIS flags seen in some areas. So far, the Pentagon still has not released an official statement regarding the reported liberation of the village.
In an interview with local Iraqi media, NPU commander Bahnam Abush said their goal was to free the Christian areas and other places held by ISIS in Nineveh Plain with the help of Iraqi forces, the Peshmerga, and the US-led coalition. The militia's recent victory ignites the hope that Christians will be inspired to remain in their ancient homeland.
Back in February 2015, the Catholic Herald ran a feature story on NPU and said the militia has more than 3,000 members either in service or set for training. The publication also said the Christian militia is backed by the Iraqi government and the Kurdish Peshmerga.
Although NPU has links with the Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga, the militia does not take orders from either of the two. Their troops also aim to set up an administrate area for the Assyrians, Yazidis, and other minority groups.
John Michael, a British-Assyrian who has expressed support for the Christian militia, previously said that the NPU is the Christians' "last stand" against ISIS. He added that Christianity would be wiped out from Iraq if the Christian militia fails to defeat the terrorist Group.
