CWN - Faced with an ultimatum to convert to Islam, be killed, or leave Mosul, the vast majority of the Christians still in Iraq’s 2nd-largest city in mid-July chose to depart rather than convert, according to the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA).

Most of Mosul’s Christians fled the city in June as jihadist as militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant took control. AINA reported that among those who remained and eventually received the ultimatum, “over 200” families made the 40-mile desert journey on foot to another city, while “nearly 15” Christian families “converted to Islam to avoid losing their life and wealth.”