The Iraqis' Stories: Christians live in fear of death squads

Julie Carlo, 36, has tried to leave Iraq for Jordan several times to be with her parents, but hasn't been allowed in by the Jordanian authorities. The reason for her desperation to leave is her religion. She is Christian and has been threatened by Islamic militants.

"Recently, life for Christians in Iraq has turned into a horror movie," Carlo said. "I will leave everything here [and] even if I do not have anything to eat there [Jordan], it is better to die from hunger than be beheaded."

Carlo is one of thousands of people from the minority group who are receiving death threats and are living in fear. Threats have increased since Pope Benedict XVI, head of the Catholic Church, made a speech on 12 September that included what were perceived to be disparaging comments about Islam. This caused fury among segments of the Muslim community worldwide.

The repercussions of the Pope's speech continue to reverberate in Iraq, bringing a new level of threat to an already shrinking Christian population. Although the Pope apologised soon after for the comments he made, the damage is seemingly irreparable in Iraq.

"There were cases of Christians being killed but it was part of the ongoing violence in our country and not a direct threat against our community," Carlo said. "We have been clearly advised through letters and intimidating leaflets that all Christians should leave Iraq because the punishment is going to be worse in coming days."

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