BAGHDAD , Iraq ( CNN ) -- At least 6,000 Christians have fled the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in the past week because of killings and death threats , Iraq 's Ministry of Immigration and Displaced Persons said Thursday . A Christian family that fled Mosul found refuge in the Al-Sayida monastery about 30 miles north of the city . The number represents 1,424 families , at least 70 more families than were reported to be displaced on Wednesday . The ministry said it had set up an operation room to follow up sending urgent aid to the displaced Christian families as a result of attacks by what it called `` terrorist groups . '' Iraqi officials have said the families were frightened by a series of killings and threats by Muslim extremists ordering them to convert to Islam or face death . Fourteen Christians have been slain in the past two weeks in the city , which is about 260 miles ( 420 kilometers ) north of Baghdad . Mosul is one of the last Iraqi cities where al Qaeda in Iraq has a significant presence and routinely carries out attacks . The U.S. military said it killed the Sunni militant group 's No . 2 leader , Abu Qaswarah , in a raid in the northern city earlier this month . In response to the recent attacks on Christians , authorities have ordered more checkpoints in several of the city 's Christian neighborhoods . The attacks may have been prompted by Christian demonstrations ahead of provincial elections , which are to be held by January 31 , authorities said . Hundreds of Christians took to the streets in Mosul and surrounding villages and towns , demanding adequate representation on provincial councils , whose members will be chosen in the local elections . Thursday , Iraq 's minister of immigration and displaced persons discussed building housing complexes for Christian families in northern Iraq and allocating land to build the complexes . Abdel Samad Rahman Sultan brought up the issue when he met with a representative of Iraq 's Hammurabi Organization for Human Rights and with the head of the Kojina Organization for helping displaced persons . A curfew was declared Wednesday in several neighborhoods of eastern Mosul as authorities searched for militants behind the attacks . CNN 's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report .
More than 1,400 Christian families displaced . Families reportedly frightened by killings and threats by Muslim extremists . Extremists ordering them to convert to Islam , officials say . Fourteen Christians have been slain in the past two weeks in Mosul .