The Islamic State's War on Christianity Depicted in 12 Chilling Photographs

The Islamic State released series of photos on Monday showing militants destroying Iraqi churches, forcibly removing Christian symbols, such as crosses, and replacing them with the black Islamic State flag.

“The images show ISIS men engaged in the destruction of various Christian symbols, which ISIS perceives as being polytheistic and idolatrous,” the Middle East Media Research Institute reported. “The men remove crosses from atop churches and replace them with the black ISIS banner, destroy crosses at other locations such as atop doorways and gravestones, and destroy and remove icons and statues inside and outside churches.”

Here are 13 of the chilling photographs reportedly taken in Ninawa, Iraq:

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

Credit: MEMRI

"They don't care what it's called; they are just following their ideology and that means getting rid of churches and minorities. It is the Islamic State, and there's no room for anyone else," MEMRI director Steven Stalinsky said in reaction to the images.

Read MEMRI's full report here.

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