A HORRIFYING axe attack at a Christian New Year parade in northern Iraq has left three people injured after a man shouting Islamic slogans launched a violent rampage through the crowd.
Thousands had gathered in Dohuk on Tuesday to celebrate Akitu, the Assyrian New Year, waving flags and donning colourful traditional dress.
GettyAssyrians, Chaldeans, and Syriacs in Iraq celebrating the new year by participating in the traditional Akitu Festival in the city of Duhok[/caption]
But the joyful celebration quickly descended into chaos when a lone attacker stormed the parade, singing an axe and shouting “Islamic State, the Islamic State remains.”
Three people were wounded in the frenzied assault including a 17-year-old boy and a 75-year-old woman—both suffering skull fractures.
A member of the local security forces, who had been operating a surveillance drone, was also injured.
Footage circulating online shows the attacker pinned to the pavement by a brave onlooker as he continued to shout jihadist slogans.
All three victims were rushed to hospital, local officials confirmed.
Authorities have not yet released the attacker’s identity.
The teenage victim, Fardi, had travelled to the parade with friends and had been sharing photos of the festivities shortly before being attacked.
At the hospital, his mother Athraa Abdullah said: “We were already attacked and displaced by ISIS, and today we faced a terrorist attack at a place we came to for shelter.”
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