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Christians forced out of Baghdad district

Christians forced out of Baghdad district: "The U.S. military is trying to stop further neighborhood purges in the Iraq capital.
By Ned Parker
Times Staff Writer

June 27, 2007

BAGHDAD — The two men knocked on Abu Salam's door on a Friday morning. He was one of the last remaining Christians on his block.

'Peace be upon you,' they said, and Abu Salam, a man in his 50s, repeated the greeting.

The pair, one fat and the other thin, spoke politely. Both were cleanshaven and wore slacks and button-down shirts.

'You are now aware the neighborhood of Muwallamin belongs to the Islamic State of Iraq,' the bigger man said. 'We have three conditions you can accept: You can pay a tax, become a Muslim or you can leave your house and we will help you take out your furniture.

'We'll let you make up your mind."

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