Our Lady of Salvation Church Massacre, Baghdad

The massacre took place at the Syriac Catholic Church of Our Lady of Salvation in the Karrada district of eastern Baghdad. The first modest church was built on the site in 1952, and the current cathedral was constructed in 1968 after three years of building. Approximately 5,000 regular-attending families were affiliated with this cathedral alone, out of a total of approximately 14,000 Syriac Catholic families in Baghdad before the attack.

The church assault was preceded by a car bombing at a nearby bus station that injured only two guards and is believed to have been a diversion. Five militants wearing explosive vests stormed the church after firing on the bus station guards and jumping over its wall, holding approximately 120 Christians hostage — including families, elderly, and children — for several hours. The attackers began throwing grenades and shooting into the crowd. One attacker phoned an Iraqi official and threatened to blow himself up if security forces stormed the building, demanding the release of prisoners linked to al-Qaeda. The attackers also called an Egyptian television station to repeat their demands. Iraqi special forces ultimately decided to storm the church 'to prevent further loss of life.' The death toll reached at least 58, including 12 policemen and bystanders killed in explosions outside the church, while 41 Christians were killed inside the church itself, including two young priests and a deacon. Between 75 and 78 others were injured.