Christians in Iraq's north hold Christmas Eve mass

Hundreds of worshippers gared in Mar Behnam and Sara Church in Qaraqosh near Mosul on Friday to celebrate Christmas Eve Mass.

packed congregation sang hymns and also celebrated outside in front of a huge bonfire.

Following Mass, Far Boutros Sheeto, priest of Mar Behnam and Sara Church in Qaraqosh called for political leers to focus on needs of ir people rar than working for ir own vancement.

Only half of Christian community in small town have returned to ir homes after y were displaced when Islamic State (IS) militants captured Mosul, and later took over Christian areas in Nineveh Plains in 2014.

Qaraqosh, known also as Christian capital of Iraq, located about 32 kilometers (20 miles) souast of Mosul, was retaken by Iraqi security forces in 2016, when country's government launched an offensive to recapture all IS-occupied areas.