Iraq (MNN) — The Israel-Hamas War raises tensions in Iraq, where an Iranian missile strikes recently killed four civilians in the Kurdish city of Erbil.
The Iranian army claims it attacked Erbil in response to Israeli “atrocities” in Lebanon. Israel unleashes intense barrage of airstrikes in southern Lebanon yesterday in its ongoing fight against Hezbollah militants.
Regional activities and responses confirm the old adage: “In the Middle East, everything is connected.”
The United States is a convenient target in Iraq because it is aligned with Israel. Iran-backed militias launched more than 100 attacks on American bases in Iraq and Syria since the start of the war in Gaza.
“After October 8, Iranian militias (in) Iraq began launching rockets and firing mortars at various American bases, as well as the embassy,” explains Samuel* of Redemptive Stories.
“The United States went to Iraq and said, ‘You have to deal with these militias within your borders,’ and Iraq said, ‘Who are you to tell us what to do?’ »
In the eyes of their Muslim neighbors, Iraqi Christians become guilty by association. “The Evangelical Church of Iraq is linked, at least by proxy, to the United States. But the local Church has done its best to distance itself from US policy regarding Gaza,” notes Samuel.
However, perception is reality. “It is understood that the heart of evangelical Christianity is American. Because of this, they risk and suffer even more persecution,” says Samuel.
Oppression is nothing new for believers in Iraq, but that does not make the situation easy to bear. Ask the Lord to strengthen believers and praise Him for His faithfulness.
“God is still at work in the midst of all this chaos and disorder,” Samuel said.
Believers outside Iraq must “pray for our brothers and sisters and support them as best we can financially to help them share the truth with their neighbors,” he adds.
*Pseudonym
Header image is a representative photo courtesy of 12019/Pixabay.
