CHRISTIAN people who fled Telskuf, in nothern Iraq, in October, fearing a clash between the Kurdish Peshmerga and the Iraqi Forces, and Iranian-backed Hashd al-Shaabi, were able to return within a day, Christian Post reports.

Telskuf, 19 miles north of Mosul, was captured by Islamic State and liberated by the Peshmerga last year. It was rebuilt with the help of the international community, and in particular the Hungarian government, enabling hundreds of Christians to return to their homes. But, in October, many fled to Alqosh in fear that clashes taking place in the wake of the referendum on Kurdistan independence (News, 29 September) would spread to their town. The Post reports that “intervention from the US government” ensured that this did not take place.

Nevertheless, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, has warned that nothing has been done to enable Christians and Yazidis to have their own nonpartisan security and local administration. “It is important that the voices of the people inhabiting the disputed territories of Sinjar and the Nineveh Plains are heard through an internationally organised and monitored referendum,” the chief executive, Mervyn Thomas, said.