Christians return to war-torn cities in northern Iraq

Razwan Paul Sony, wife Lina Hannah and their children walk past a destroyed cross on their way to visit the grave of Sony’s mother to observe Easter in Qaraqosh, Iraq.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

April 26, 2017 5:30 PM PT

Iraqi forces have retaken some areas, allowing families to return to their homes in the Christian villages of Qaraqosh, Bartella and Karemlash. Some remain behind in camps for displaced Christians in Irbil.

Soldiers during Easter Mass at the Mar Yohanna Church, also known as St. John Church, which was damaged during Iraqi forces’ operation to retake Qaraqosh from Islamic State.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Soldiers stand guard during Easter Mass at the Mar Yohanna Church, which sustained damage in the fighting between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Dressed in a traditional outfit, Anosa Razwan, 3, explores the damaged courtyard of the Mar Yohanna Church, also known as St. John Church.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Imad Mikhail, 43, center, prepares his bakery for the next workday in Qaraqos. He and his son, Yusuf, 15, have been back in Qaraqosh for seven months. They share their home with soldiers from the Nineveh Protection Unit and run a bakery next door.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Pews occupy a corner of St. Mary al-Tahira church, which was vandalized by Islamic State fighters in Qaraqosh.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

A cross overlooks the Assyrian town of Karemlash in Iraq.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Razwan Paul Sony gets dressed and readies his AK-47 as he prepares to visit his family burial grounds to observe Easter in Qaraqosh. Sony, a weapons instructor for the Nineveh Protective Unit, moved his family back to Qaraqosh as soon as Islamic State was driven out of the city.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Worshipers arrive for Holy Saturday services at Al-Bashara Church at a camp for displaced Christians in Irbil, Iraq, on April 15. The more than 100,000 displaced Christians in Ainkawa township were driven out of their homes in Qaraqosh, Karemlash and Bartella when Islamic State attacked northern Iraq in 2014.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Christians arrive for Holy Saturday services at Al-Bashara Church in Irbil, Iraq.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Abusharnad Alisoo gives the Holy Communion during Easter Mass at the Mar Yohanna Church in Qaraqosh.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

The congregation stands in prayer during Easter Mass at the Mar Yohanna Church.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

The congregation takes part in Holy Communion during Easter Mass at the Mar Yohanna Church.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Islamic State graffiti marks the walls at the Mar Yohanna Church in Qaraqosh.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

A soldier rings the bell at the conclusion of Easter Mass at the Mar Yohanna Church.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Ziad Halid and his wife, Afaf Naffi, make a home out of a trailer in a camp for the displaced in Irbil, Iraq.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

A girl leaves the Mar Yohanna Church after Easter services.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Ahmed Hashim prays before a cross erected by residents after Iraqi forces routed Islamic State from Qaraqosh. Hashim said he was praying for peace and for the future of the Iraqi people.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)