More than half of the Christians living in Mosul have fled the northern Iraqi city in the past two weeks after receiving death threats, the United Nations refugee agency said today.
"It is still not clear who is behind the intimidation that caused them to flee," Ron Redmond, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told a news briefing.
He said many Christians who left Mosul did so suddenly and with little money after receiving phone calls, letters, and messages telling them to leave the city immediately or be killed.
More than 2,200 Christian families - about 13,000 people - have sought refuge north and east of Mosul, or in nearby Iraqi regions including Dahuk, Arbil and Kirkuk. About 400 crossed into Syria for refuge there, Mr Redmond said.
"The displacement now appears to be slowing," he said.
Syria is already hosting at least 1.2 million Iraqis who have fled war and upheaval in their home country, which US-led forces invaded in 2003.