Saying the self-proclaimed “Islamic State” is operating in Baghdad, the Anglican Vicar of Baghdad, Andrew White, has abandoned the capital city. White made the announcement on his Facebook page on Oct. 7, after a discussion with the head of the Anglican Church, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

“He has agreed for me to return to Iraq, though not to be based at the Church in BAGHDAD,” White wrote. Speaking to the Washington, D.C.-based Clarion Project, White said IS already is operating in the capital. “ISIS has plants in Baghdad. That’s why the archbishop wanted us gone.” He told Clarion Project he would reside in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.