Syria: Terrorist Rebels Sieze Aleppo

On Friday, rebels breached Aleppo for the first time since 2016 in a sudden surge of the 13-year civil war which has killed perhaps half a million people and sent some 6.8 million across borders to seek refuge in other countries. More than 120 died in clashes over the weekend, including around 20 civilians. (Ellen Knickermeyer, Associated Press, November 29)

The rebels now advancing south from newly captured Aleppo are from the terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani. HTS has mainly controlled Syria’s northwest, while Turkish forces and other Muslim militants controlled the northeast. These have all been warring against other Islamic extremists and also the brutal Iran-Russia-Hezbollah-backed Bashar Assad regime in Damascus, which controls about 70% of Syria.

And in the midst of all of that, Christians continue to suffer much violence and persecution. Nearly 90% Muslim, Syria ranks 12th on Open Doors’ World Watchlist of most dangerous countries for Christians:

“In government-controlled areas, the authorities are tightening their grip on those whom they feel are a threat to social stability, including converts from Islam to Christianity.” Persecution is all the more severe in the northeast, which is controlled by Turkish and allied opposition forces, and in Idlib province in the northwest, controlled by HTS and other Islamic militants. Although, last year, Golani actually allowed a Christian mass in Idlib.

“In areas where Islamic militants are active, leaders of historical churches are particularly vulnerable to attack or kidnap, while most buildings belonging to such groups have been demolished or co-opted for Islamic use. For Christians living in these areas, there is little scope for expressing their faith, and many have been forcibly displaced from their homes.”

Even so, many Syrians are now turning to Christ. Muslims fighting Muslims with horrific atrocities on both sides has upended their faith in Islam and given them a hunger for Truth. Last year’s devastating earthquakes also served to shake up their belief system. Read more here:

Lord, we ask You for a Great Awakening to You all across Syria and beyond. Lift the veil from the eyes of the lost so they will see You as You truly are. Show Yourself strong on behalf of the persecuted and abandoned. Protect the innocent. Shield those who seek You or already believe in You. Perform signs and wonders, miracles and healings as powerful demonstrations of Your love, turning all eyes to You. Get up in the face of Abu Mohammed al-Golani, Bashar Assad and every militant. Show them who You are. Confront them with Truth. Bring them to their knees before You in fear of the Lord, so they lay down their weapons, repent of atrocities committed, and choose You as Savior. Give Christians courage and Your Spirit’s empowering to share Your Good News with those who are hungry for You in a way they can easily understand, and increase that hunger all throughout the nation and among refugees in other nations, drawing thousands of lost Syrians to find true refuge in the arms of the One True King and Savior. Take what the enemy has meant for evil and turn it around into a mighty movement of Muslims coming to faith in Christ. Awaken the lost to Your love, O God. Awaken all Syrians to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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