Back in 2003 our leaders claimed to have liberated Iraq. How wrong they were.

The latest insurgency should serve as a warning of the consequences that may follow, if this latest threat is not dealt with before it spreads and gets completely out of hand.

The surprising success of ISIS has been assisted by sophisticated weaponry captured from the retreating Iraqi army.

The people most affected are the Iraqi Christians and the minority Yazdi sect.

Abu al-baghdadi’s message to these people is clear: convert to Islam or die.

The danger these people face is real. But the threat remains.

They are faced by a ruthless adversary who won’t hesitate to commit genocide.

We have all been confronted by the photograph of a seven-year old Australian boy holding a decapitated head.

Threats from the Islamic state must be taken seriously.

Not every foreign fighter will return to Australia with evil intent.

It is estimated about 150 Australians are fighting in Iraq and Syria, but it only takes a handful of would-be terrorists to pose a serious problem for us.

These insurgents will stop at nothing.

They are in the same league as Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot.

— Reverend S.A. EISEMAN,

Wodonga