On the night of Thursday, October 20, into Friday, October 21, 2016, the city of Kirkuk in Iraq was attacked by a large group of terrorists (Daesh) targeting the governorate and police and security buildings. However, due to strong resistance from security forces, the terrorists took refuge in nearby homes.
Among the buildings surrounding the governorate were the convent of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena and four houses where our archdiocese housed female university students. Our Chaldean Archdiocese has, in fact, for the past three years, refugee students from our Iraqi people of all faiths: Christians (not just Chaldeans!), Yazidis, Muslims, and Sabians; their number has now exceeded 500 students.
There were 71 female students in the four dormitories; they were preparing to begin their studies at the university in various disciplines offered by the 13 colleges that make up the University of Kirkuk.
Under the leadership of Mr. Imad Matti (Abu Duraid), who works with students and displaced persons in the diocese. We asked him what had happened, and he replied:
"At dawn on Friday, Oct. 21, the female students sensed that there were people climbing onto the houses and hiding in the gardens, and that they were beginning to call out the Muslim prayer. One of them even photographed one of them, heavily armed and wearing explosive belts. We alerted the security forces to the gravity of the situation. They remained in fear all day, trapped in houses without electricity until evening, when Iraqi special forces launched an assault, but the fire was so intense from all directions that they were unable to free them. I devised a plan to rescue the girls from the first house—there were 14 of them—and it was carried out despite snipers on neighboring rooftops. Then we returned at 2 a.m. for the second group of girls—there were seven of them. But the most dangerous part was that four terrorists were already in the same house where the seven girls were hiding in an adjacent room. While the terrorists were eating and drinking, the girls stayed under the beds, and the Lord blinded the terrorists. I was in contact with the girls via cell phone; I took a risk by asking them to come out barefoot toward the wall at the back of the house, where we would meet them one by one. It had to be done in one minute, and it was done. The forces with me showed exemplary efficiency and courage. And so, in the dark of night, and despite the gunfire raining down around us, they were all saved.
As for the third group, which consisted of 30 girls, they were rescued at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday by the “Swat” forces (the counterterrorism unit of the city of Sulaymaniyah).
I have to say, I'm in awe of these 71 girls' courage, their discipline, and their obedience to instructions—and what precision!
It should also be noted that cell phones played a crucial role in guiding and facilitating movement from one location to another during this rescue operation. Nor should we forget the role played by the security forces and the efficiency and professionalism with which they surrounded the terrorists, who had barricaded themselves inside a women’s dormitory and blew themselves up there on Saturday morning.
What's astonishing is that seven female students stayed under the beds for 18 hours without moving a muscle, and one of the four terrorists didn't suspect a thing.
"On Saturday morning, the students were transported to Erbil in good health so they could take a breather and recover a bit from their emotional ordeal, and to reassure their parents and loved ones."
We hope that this incident will give them the courage, will, and determination to complete their studies, and that our Chaldean Diocese in Kirkuk has decided to support them, despite all the difficulties. We give thanks to the Lord, who has showered us with His blessings; It is a true miracle that He bestowed upon His children last night. We also pray for those who have died, and ask for healing for the wounded and all those who have suffered trauma or loss.
Kirkuk, October 23, 2016
+ Mgr. Yousif Thomas Mirkis o.p. Archevêque chaldéen de Kirkuk et Souleimaniyah
