1,350 Christian families flee Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Iraqi officials say 1,350 Christian families fled following attacks in which 14 Christians were killed in the northern city of Mosul.

Many of the refugees who left the city to escape Muslim extremists have set up camps at Burtulla in Nineveh province about 250 miles north of Baghdad, local officials told CNN Wednesday.

The broadcaster said officials claim the fleeing families had been frightened by the killings of 14 Christians in Mosul in the past two weeks and by threats from Muslims ordering them to convert to Islam or face possible death.

Authorities said the slayings were prompted by upcoming provincial elections. Christians had street protests in Mosul demanding more representation on provincial councils but were met with an angry reaction by Muslim extremists.